A MAN who made a bogus abduction claim in a bizarre attempt to get home has been locked up for 16 months.

Scott Greenwood, 31, sparked a cross-border police probe after claiming he was captured by three men and hauled from Barnsley in Yorkshire to Glasgow.

But, it was later discovered the roofer had been living in a city centre hotel after coming up for work with little money.

Greenwood pleaded guilty on Tuesday at Glasgow Sheriff Court to falsely representing to police that he was the victim of an abduction on September 4 this year.

The dad-of-four had dialled 999 from a phone box at 4am in the city’s Argyle Street.

Prosecutor Amy Hunter said: “He stated that he had been abducted from Barnsley by three men who own a white van.

“He said he escaped an hour prior to phoning the police.”

Officers found Greenwood before a hunt to try and catch those who apparently held him hostage.

South Yorkshire Police also alerted Greenwood’s wife to what had supposedly happened.

But, the claims began to unravel when a receipt was found on Greenwood.

It was from the city’s Lorne Hotel dated September 1.

Staff there went on to confirm Greenwood had been staying there before being kicked out for being drunk.

Greenwood was arrested before he spat at a constable.

It emerged Greenwood had a previous conviction for making a false claim in England.

Michelle Skelly, defending, told the court Greenwood had gone to Glasgow to work as a roofer with two men.

The lawyer added: “It was expected he would work two days and leave at the end of that period.

“He attended with no belongings. The job was extended, but he wished to leave.

“He was away for almost a week and desperate.

“He called the police and a version of events was given which did not happen.”

Sentencing, Sheriff Gerry Considine said: “A significant amount of resources from Police Scotland and South Yorkshire Police were used due to the deliberate concoction of a story you gave.”