A Midlands-based dealership owner has been jailed after he stole from his finance supplier in a bid to keep his business afloat.

Anthony Pullen had run prestige dealership Wych Marques at Wychbold near Droitwich since 1994 but ran into cashflow problems in 2010, and when he got £13,000 to finance a sale which then fell through he did not repay the money.

He also sold two valuable Audis which he had on lease.

Pullen, of Stratford Gardens, Bromsgrove, pleaded guilty to theft and fraud.

In mitigation, Worcester Crown Court heard he had tried to save a business which he knew was doomed, and he has since gone bankrupt and is unlikely to work in motor retail again.

He was jailed for a total of eight months for fraud and 16 months for theft.