A YOUNG woman told police her car had been stolen when she had really been out drinking pints of lager and had crashed it, a jury found.o

Victoria Lloyd, 20, of Heath Road, Beaconsfield, broke down in tears after a guilty verdict was given at Reading Crown Court on Monday. She had denied the charge of perverting the course of justice.

Kate Mallinson, prosecuting, told the jury how Lloyd and her friends had been out drinking at Bar Med in Beaconsfield on February 7. She then offered to drive the friend home, despite drinking four pints of lager and being over the drink drive limit.

Miss Mallinson said: "There is no dispute that Lloyd by virtue of the amount drunk, would have been over the limit. For whatever reason, the car had an accident and rolled over. When they all got out of the car Lloyd phoned the police."

The jury heard that when police spoke to her after the accident she repeated that the car had been stolen and that she had not been driving.

Recorder Nicholas Ryder, QC, said after releasing Lloyd on unconditional bail: "This is a very worrying and difficult case. You are a young woman of entirely good character, plainly intelligent and from a very good family. You ignored the advice of your former boyfriend and other friends."

A second charge of attempting to obtain property by deception from Admiral Insurance, to the value of £1, 600, was dropped.

Lloyd was released on unconditional bail and the case was adjourned until September 24 for pre-sentence reports to be compiled.