A MOTORIST recovered their stolen car...only for police to catch them driving without insurance.

Essex Police's Operational Support Group and Southend Policing Team made the roadside stop in the town yesterday.

A spokesman said: "Whilst patrolling in Southend this vehicle was shown as stolen on the OSG's system.

"However, it had already been recovered previously, the owner had already got it back but didn’t tell us.

"The owner was driving it without insurance though.

"Vehicle seized under section 165 Road Traffic Act."