A German couple's honeymoon turned to drama when a vicious thief stole their caravan - with the bridegroom sitting on the towbar.

After the newly-weds stopped at the new M40 services near Wheatley, the thief:

HITCHED up their caravan to his VW Passat car;

SPRAYED gas in the face of the bride as she tried to stop him driving off; and

KNOCKED her new husband over after he had managed to get off the towbar.The husband jumped on to the tow bar of the caravan, which had a heart with 'Just Married' in one of the windows.

The tourist was able to get off the caravan when the driver slowed down on the A418. The thief then accelerated away, knocking the man over and injuring his legs.

The drama began when the couple stopped at the services yesterday. When they went inside, the dark blue Passat - with the possible registration NIB 5567 - parked next to their red VW Golf and white and blue caravan, which had a heart with 'Just Married' in one of the windows.

The husband jumped off the towbar on the A418 but suffered leg injuries when the thief drove into him.

The car was later found abandoned behind shops in Blackbird Leys Road, Blackbird Leys, Oxford.

Police were still searching for the caravan.

Witnesses can contact police on 01296 395000.

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