A self-employed electrician whose work dried up due to the slump in the housing market burned out his high-performance sports car to claim on the insurance, a court heard.

Andrew Maxwell, of Blithfield Road, Brownhills, dumped his Subaru Impreza seven miles from his house and set it alight in a bid to claim more than £14,000, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told yesterday. Miss Mary Loram, defending the 44-year-old, said: “The severe downturn in the housing market hasn’t provided him with much work. People do things that are out of character when they are in trouble.

“He will not be the first person to appear in court for dishonesty because of the current economic climate.

“He has worked hard to build up a good career but work is sporadic at the moment and he is unsure of his monthly income.

“People like Andrew Maxwell suffer enough when they appear in court – this isn’t exactly crime of the century but he is taking it really seriously and in his world, it is crime of the century.”

Mr Paul Reed, prosecuting, said when police officers visited Maxwell’s house to inform him of the “theft” there was no glass on the driveway and he did not seem surprised by the news.

Mr Reed said the insurance company were also suspicious due to the high value of the car and Maxwell’s “evasive” attitude.

“A friend told police he had told them he was going to burn out his car and claim on the insurance,” Mr Reed added. “An expert also said the alarm system in the car made it virtually unpinchable.”

Judge Michael Dudley sentenced Maxwell to nine months in prison suspended for 18 months, 180 hours unpaid work, £900 costs and a curfew from 9pm until 7am.

“Due to his financial conditions an evening social life is hardly a priority.”

Maxwell had previously pleaded guilty to fraud. His car was discovered by police on August 19 last year.

Judge Dudley said: “People speak very highly of you. You are a man of positive character but this was a serious fraud.”