A man who falsely claimed he had been mugged to get a lift home from police has been fined �80 under new on-the-spot penalties.

The unnamed 37-year-old, from Lye, near Stourbridge, West Midlands, had lost his wallet in the centre of Birmingham, but claimed he had been mugged, said police.

When he was questioned by officers he admitted he had lied and was given the immediate fine on Monday for making up the "foolish story", police said.

The new police powers are being piloted by four forces to reduce the number of petty criminals in police cells and magistrates' courts.

'Victim panicked'

Detective Chief Inspector Malcolm Coall said the man dialled 999 four times from the city's Broad Street district in the early hours, claiming he was scared after being robbed.

When police arrived and told him they would study CCTV footage to trace the "attacker", the "victim" panicked, said Mr Coall.

The man admitted he had lied because he had lost his wallet and wanted a lift home.

"This man is lucky not to have been prosecuted for a more serious offence, which he may well have been if officers had wasted more time dealing with his claim," Mr Coall said.

"This man is now facing what is in effect a fine of �80 for making up this foolish story."

The man had earlier flagged down a passing police vehicle and asked officers to take him home.

Mobile 'theft'

The incident comes less than a week after a bogus robbery victim from Birmingham was one of the first people to be fined �80 under the pilot scheme.

The 18-year-old, from Castle Bromwich, falsely claimed he had been robbed of his mobile phone so he could claim a new one on his insurance.

The new powers are aimed at providing a more cost effective method of dealing with minor crime.

Under the scheme, fines of between �40 and �80 can be issued to people on the street or in custody.

The scheme is being piloted in Croydon, south London, Essex, and North Wales as well as the West Midlands.

British Transport Police will also take part in the West Midlands scheme.