A 29-YEAR-old man said to have stolen a car belonging to his then boss and sold it, has been cleared -- but sent to jail.

Andrew Burfield was found not guilty of theft by a Burnley Crown Court jury, after a two-day trial.

He had earlier been acquitted of deception but was sent to prison for 12 months after admitting attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Burfield of Kenilworth Close, Padiham, had denied the theft and deception allegations against him.

The court had heard claims that Burfield had taken a Volkswagen Polo belonging to his then employer and sold it through the Loot magazine, pretending to be his boss. He was said to have got £2,700 and taken the buyer's Mazda car in part exchange.

Burfield later told police he had been asked to sell the Polo on a bonus basis and had handed over the cash and the value of the Mazda to his ex-boss.