A GARAGE worker who crashed his car, flattening a lamp post, and then reported the vehicle stolen, has walked free from court. Burnley Crown Court heard police did not believe Matthew Stoddart’s ‘cock and bull story’ as a man and woman had been spotted walking away from the scene of the Boxing Day smash. He also had the key, the car had not been broken into and he had a gash on his chin – which he claimed was from shaving. Police were forced to spend public money on expensive DNA tests on the airbag after he denied he had been at the wheel, the court heard. The DNA matched Stoddart’s, yet he continued to claimed it had not been him. Stoddart, 22, of Paulhan Street, Burnley, admitted attempting to pervert the course of justice, failing to stop after an accident and failing to report an accident, on December 26, 2012. He received nine months in prison, suspended for a year, and a 12-month conditional discharge. Stoddart was also given seven points on his licence and ordered to pay £500 costs.