A MECHANIC received a £4,357 insurance pay-out after claiming his caravan was stolen from outside his home, Durham Crown Court was told.

But it was discovered to be fraudulent when a police officer came across the caravan in a field owned by the man's employer, less than two months later.

Michael Graham, prosecuting, said 36-year-old Robert Hopps asked his wife to report the theft to police in June 1999.

An insurance settlement of £4,357 was made to Hopps.

But a police officer saw the caravan in a field owned by Hopps' employer, to which he had access, in Satley, County Durham.

Mr Graham said some of the property Hopps reported as having been stolen with the caravan, and which accounted for part of the insurance settlement, was found at his home, in High Street, Tow Law.

Jamie Hill, for Hopps, said as an MoT-tester, he was embarrassed to discover the caravan was not worth what he paid for it, as it was accident-damaged.

But Mr Hill said Hopps had not touched the money received from the RAC Axa Insurance.

"The offence was committed in a moment of madness and very nearly cost him his marriage," said Mr Hill.

Hopps had admitted obtaining by deception at a previous hearing, and was ordered to carry out 200 hours' community service work, and repay the £4,357 to the insurance company