Christopher Kimberley was jailed after he lied to his girlfriend and police about being mugged when in fact he spent the money on a night out with friends (Picture: SWNS)

A man has been jailed after he lied to police about being mugged – so he could avoid getting in trouble with his girlfriend after an expensive night out.

Christopher Kimberley, who spent £150 on drinks for his friends during the evening in question, was jailed for wasting police time after the lie he told his partner got out of hand.

The 24-year-old from Stoke-on-Trent told police he had been robbed and even blamed his landscape gardener boss for mugging him to explain why he could not afford a taxi.

Kimberley said boss Jamie Cox, who he was drinking with at the time, had taken his bank card, demanded his pin and then stole money from his bank account.




His concerned girlfriend and father contacted the police but the lie spiralled further out of control as officers questioned him.

Mr Cox was arrested following Kimberley’s claims and held in a police cell for 12 hours.

During questioning he told police the 24-year-old must have made up the lie to avoid getting into trouble with his girlfriend.

After pleading guilty to an act intending to pervert the course of justice, Kimberley was jailed for six months at Stoke-on-Trent crown court on Monday.

Sentencing Judge Paul Glenn said: ‘You wasted a significant amount of police time and the time of an ambulance team who came out to see you when you complained of your injuries.’

Kimberley has since apologised to Mr Cox.