A man has been jailed after his DNA was found on a piece of tape used to mask the registration plate on a stolen car.

On 17 July in the evening, a set of car keys and a vehicle were stolen from a property in Rotherham in the Wortley Road area.

The next day, the victim and her partner sighted the stolen car in traffic whilst driving in Parkgate.

The couple followed the vehicle to the Dinnington area, before the Roads Policing Unit took over.

The stolen car was seen to go off road and was then abandoned, after the man failed to stop for the officers on the scene.

When the car was recovered, a piece of tape was found on the registration plate to change the number six to an eight. Forensic work later matched Andrew Elliot’s DNA profile to that on the tape, which led to the 45-year-old being arrested and charged.

Detective Sergeant Melissa Green, of Rotherham Neighbourhoods Crime Team, said: “These offences can have a lasting impact on victims. The feeling of someone taking your property can be very distressing so I hope the victim is reassured by this result.”

On 25 September, Elliot, of Wingfield Road, Rotherham, pleaded guilty to handling stolen goods. He was sentenced on 26 October at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court to 18 weeks in prison.

DS Melissa Green said: “I hope this helps to show local communities our commitment to bring criminals who believe they can evade responsibility for their actions to justice.”