A WOMAN who falsely claimed her car had been stolen – leading police to arrest and lock up two young men for 12 hours – has been spared an immediate prison sentence.

Rachel Thompson admitted perverting the course of justice following an incident in Majuba Road, Redcar in the early hours of June 29 this year.

The 36-year-old left her Ford Focus car in the charge of her nephew and his friend after a boozing session at the pub, later telling police they had taken it without her consent.

The pair were arrested on the basis of Thompson’s account, only for her to later change her story. She admitted she had lied as she was worried she would get into trouble for allowing her nephew and friend to use the vehicle.

Duncan McReddie, for Thompson, of Keats Road, Middlesbrough, said she was the sole carer for three daughters and also cared for her terminally ill father.

He said: “She regrets her conduct. She is very sorry and wishes she could turn the clock back.”

The Recorder of Middlesbrough, Judge Simon Bourne-Arton said he accepted that those Thompson cared for would be put at a severe disadvantage if she was immediately locked up.

Taking into account her good character and other matters, he said he would suspend a six month jail sentence on her for 18 months.