The caravan stolen from a German honeymoon couple when they stopped at the new M40 service station near Wheatley has been found in Oxford.

Landlord Mike Pearce, of the Ampleforth Arms, Collinwood Road, Risinghurst, found it and the VW Passat, which was used by the thief to tow it away, dumped on his forecourt.

He alerted police who took the vehicles away for fingerprinting yesterday.

Mr Pearce said: "It was blocking the exit to my yard. I only saw it by chance. I came out of the kitchen to serve some meals and said: 'Who has dumped their caravan on my car park without permission?'"

Police are still searching for the thief.

He sprayed gas into the woman's face and drove off with her husband sitting on the caravan's tow bar. The man jumped off as the caravan slowed down but the thief then drove into him, injuring his legs.

The thief is described as white, of medium build with dark brown hair.

Witnesses are asked to call police on 01296 396000.

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