A £35,000 Land Rover went missing after a thief rented it, claiming the car was a Valentine’s Day experience for his girlfriend.

Wayne Bywood, 38, hired the Defender for two days in February last year.

Bywood, from Gillingham, told the hire company he wanted to treat his girlfriend, Rachel Bidgood, 27, to a luxury car experience for the romantic occasion.

He told staff at Regal Car, Van and Truck Rental in Chatham, he planned to take her to a motorcycle event in Gravesend.

After using the car for two days, the couple reported it stolen from their home in Junction Road, alongside a purse and PlayStation games.

Officers investigated, but found no evidence a burglary had taken place.

There were also dramatic contradictions between where the couple had said they had driven the car and data provided by a tracking device before it had been removed.

The vehicle has never been recovered.

Both were arrested and later charged with theft, and both were found guilty of the offence at Maidstone Crown Court.

Bywood was jailed for 15 months, while Bidgood was given a 12-month suspended sentence for two years.

Kerry Waitt, for Bidgood, said the couple became homeless and had been living in a Vauxhall Astra car. They were on a waiting list with Porchlight to be rehoused.

Bidgood had been providing care and support for people in the community, working at a food bank.

Judge Martin Joy said the pair had been convicted on “completely overwhelming” evidence.

“There is no doubt this was a planned offence, planned with another person or other people,” he said. “It was completely dishonest. You each played a vital role in this.

“This was a sophisticated offence of its type. You put together a false story.”

The judge said Bywood had a history of committing anti-social offences.

"You are a thoroughly dishonest man. This was your 13 conviction. For 20 years you have been living a life of dishonesty.

“Neither of you have shown remorse,” said Judge Joy. “The vehicle has not been recovered. There is no mitigation at all.”

The car was hired from a small family-owned business and belonged to one of the members, having been given it as a present by his parents.

“It is custom made,” he continued. “It has black leather seats and red trim. It is unique. It has had a major impact on the business. The rental is £100 a day.

“There is loss of a substantial amount of money. The effect has been devastating.”

A victim impact statement described it as heartbreaking and feeling “completely violated”.

The judge said Bywood, who uses crutches, had some disability. He told Bidgood she was in Bywood’s thrall.

After sentencing, DC Kati Edge, who investigated the case, said: "Bywood rented the vehicle with no intention of ever returning it, and went to the extent of manufacturing a fake burglary with the help of his girlfriend to stall officers and pass themselves off as victims of crime.

"While initially the couple were very vocal about the burglary, they closed ranks and stopped cooperating when confronted with strong evidence that contradicted their accounts."