A MAN accused of false imprisonment has been unanimously cleared by a jury.

Andrew Richardson, of The Phelps, Kidlington, was accused of threatening his former girlfriend with a power drill and holding her prisoner inside her car.

The 37-year-old denied committing the crime and after a three-day trial at Oxford Crown Court a jury yesterday took less than two hours to find him not guilty.

The medical research assistant was alleged to have pointed a power drill and a knife at his ex-partner, Jessica Williams, on February 17 this year and forced her to drive him one-and-a-half miles.

But Richardson, who has 41 convictions, mainly for driving and dishonesty offences, told police he was carrying the drill, knife and roll of tape to steal car number plates.

Benjamin Newton, defending, said the complainant had harboured a “simmering resentment” over her ex-boyfriend’s refusal to kick his drug habit.

Mr Newton told the court that Miss Williams had admitted committing previous offences and being a former drug user.

Richardson admitted having a knife in a public place and will be sentenced for the offence on September 30. He was released on bail.