A MOTORIST who drunkenly crashed his car and then called police to claim it had been stolen, has been placed under a night-time curfew by a judge.

Reece Mason, of Oaken Gates, Bracknell, rang police in the early hours, saying he had left his keys at a house party and had lost the vehicle on September 22 last year.

However, a witness had previously called officers to say a car had driven into his Jaguar earlier that night and caused thousands of pounds worth of damage.

He was handed a six month jail sentence, suspended for two years, for performing a single act intended to pervert the course of justice.

Michael Hillman, prosecuting, explained how 22-year-old Mason also crashed into a telephone pole, before staggering out of the vehicle and running away.

When confronted by police he repeated the claim that his vehicle was stolen - but later admitted to deceiving officers.

In mitigation, barrister Ayelen Tunon told the court that Mason had recently been struggling to cope with a diagnosis of diabetes, for which he was due to receive a rare and experimental new treatment.

She also cited the fact he was suffering from ADHD, ADD and dyslexia and explained how he had been working hard to set up his own business in construction to support his long-term girlfriend and her children.

"He has expressed nothing but remorse for his stupidity and a willingness to comply with a sentence," she told Judge Sarah Campbell, sitting at Reading Crown Court.

Sentencing him, Judge Campbell said: "You are a very stupid and immature 22-year-old.

"I am sure that you understand you wasted valuable police time - the last thing they need is to be investigating is a 22-year-old lying about being the victim of a stolen car.

"You drove into a car, which was passing through a green signal and unsuspecting at traffic lights. The occupants felt a massive impact from your vehicle and you were witnessed to be driving at 60mph.

"You reported your car to be stolen and kept up that pretence for two months.

"You said you wanted to complain that your vehicle was taken and that you lost the keys at a house party and you rang police while drunk.

"My view is it will be far better for you to work and pay for the damage you have caused." said Judge Campbell.

Mason was also given a curfew to run from 9pm to 6am for three months, ordered to perform unpaid community work and ordered to undergo a rehabilitation course. He was also disqualified from driving for 12 months.