A Chippenham man who stole a Jaguar XF during a test drive and terrified the seller with threats has been jailed for three years and nine months.

Callum Foster, 27, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to robbery, driving without a licence, and driving without insurance when he appeared at Winchester Crown Court on Wednesday (13 August).

The offences relate to an incident on 19 May, when Foster arranged to meet the owner of the Jaguar in Bath, claiming he wanted to buy the vehicle. He suggested they drive to Devizes to collect payment, but instead took the victim onto Salisbury Plain, where he threatened him with what the victim believed was a gun. Foster told the man he had been “sent to kill him” before driving him to Bradford-on-Avon train station, abandoning him there, and taking off with the car.

The following day, police tracked the stolen Jaguar to Leigh Delamere services off the M4, where Foster was arrested. A second man in the vehicle was detained but later released without charge.

Foster was also handed six penalty points on his licence and ordered to pay a £228 victim surcharge.

Detective Sergeant Toni Nugent said:

“This was a hugely distressing incident for the victim. Foster caused him to fear that violence would be used if he didn’t comply, and then stole his car.

The car had been advertised for sale, and through trusting a stranger, the victim was taken advantage of. Many police units and departments worked together to ensure this case came to court, where Foster pleaded guilty to all offences.”

Wiltshire Police advised anyone buying or selling vehicles online to follow safety guidance, available on the force’s website.