A dishonest driver has been caught lying to police about having his car stolen - after smashing it up on a drinking binge.

David Rose, from Aylesford, drove his BMW into a wall while drunk then abandoned it.

The next morning the 30-year-old, of Mackenders Lane, rang police claiming it had been stolen.

But officers investigating the theft grew suspicious when they examined DNA taken from the car's airbag, which went off.

It matched Rose's. Police then closed the net further when they discovered he persuaded a garage worker to lie.

The mechanic said repairs had been carried out on the airbag during a previous car accident to explain why his DNA had been there.

Rose pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court on September 10 to perverting the course of justice, fraud, failing to stop at the scene of an accident and failing to report an accident.

The incident happened on April 18.

DC Roy Haffenden, from Kent Police's Tactical Crime Investigation Department, said: "We have had a number of similar cases where people have claimed their car has been stolen to cover up the fact they have been drink-driving and had an accident.

"I hope that this case serves as a stark warning that trying to conceal a crime is a criminal offence and has serious repercussions."

Rose is due to be sentenced on October 11 at Maidstone Crown Court.