A man who stole a woman’s car from a petrol station forecourt in High Wycombe, and conned a family member out of more than £7,000 has been jailed.

Mark Riley aged 32, of no fixed abode, appeared at Aylesbury Crown Court yesterday where he was handed a four year and six month prison sentence.

On July 9 this year a woman parked her blue Fiat 500 on the forecourt of Morrison’s petrol station in Bellfield Road to fill the tyres with air, and as she did so Riley got into the car.

The victim struggled with Riley, and he drove off “at speed” while she was still clinging onto the open door.

She was dragged along the petrol station forecourt and left with cuts and bruises.

Riley was arrested o July 16, remanded in police custody until he was charged, and appeared at High Wycombe Magistrates’ Court on July 18.

As the investigation continued police recovered the woman’s car in Portsmouth on July 18.

Riley was also sentenced to another 12 months in jail after fraudulently obtaining £7,250 in cash from a relative’s credit card and stealing £8,000 worth of jewellery and electrical goods from their High Wycombe home between May and July 2016.

He also received a two year custodial sentence, to be served concurrently, for driving whilst disqualified, and had his disqualification period extended by 33 months.

Following the sentencing, investigating officer detective sergeant James Faulkner, based at High Wycombe Police station, said: "Riley's actions on this day were extremely reckless and could have resulted in serious injury to the victim and onlookers as he drove.

"In addition to this, he had also been fraudulently obtaining money and stealing from a relative. The sentence ensures he is now brought to justice for all of his offences.

"I would like to express my gratitude toward the victims and the witnesses who have come forward to assist with this investigation. In particular the courage of his relative, so we could thoroughly investigate his offences."