Paul Vanstone's life has been made a misery by a criminal using his name.

Paul Vanstone

According to police computers, Mr Vanstone, a pub landlord who lives in Preston Road, Abingdon, has a string of 143 convictions, extending to 17 pages, including burglary, shoplifting, car thefts, driving offences and jumping bail.

But police confirmed the offences were all committed by Stuart Nicholson -- a former friend of Mr Vanstone whom he has not see since they attended school and children's birthday parties together.

Nicholson, who lives on the Isle of Wight, has been using Mr Vanstone's name as an alias. He has also used his date of birth.

Mr Vanstone, 25, said he was arrested for a theft he did not commit. Police also visited his home with a search warrant for suspected drugs offences.

He has also had a drawn-out fight for compensation with the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) after he was assaulted and suffered a broken tooth in May 2001.

The CICA told him he was not eligible because checks with the police had revealed a criminal past. According to the incorrect list of previous convictions used by the CICA, Mr Vanstone was in prison on the date of his assault.

Mr Vanstone said he now had no confidence in the police and believed he could be arrested or questioned in future for crimes.

He said: "Obviously, I'm angry with Nicholson. He has caused me a lot of hassle in the last six years. I know it's not going to go away. It's a problem that's going to crop up again and again.

"I have been let down by the police. Every time they have told me it's going to be sorted out, it's cropped up again.

"I wanted to join the police until a few years ago."

Mr Vanstone wants a written assurance from the police he will not be accused of crimes he has not committed.

He said he had tried to get an appointment at police headquarters in Kidlington, but to no avail.

After apologising in writing last December, the CICA wrote to Mr Vanstone last month telling him for the second time he would not be considered for compensation because of a criminal past.

Then, three weeks ago, the CICA finally told him his injury was not serious enough for a claim. Only claims above £1,000 are considered.

A Thames Valley Police spokesman said the force wrote to the CICA last November, explaining the mix-up.

She said: "Thames Valley Police are confident that everything possible has been done to eradicate the problem with Mr Vanstone's record on the police national computer.

"If Mr Vanstone has any further difficulties, we would be pleased to hear from him."

A CICA spokesman said background checks were carried out on claimants because public money was at stake. The claim could be rejected or the amount reduced based on a criminal past.