'I only had Maserati three days when it was taken'

Ali Hazrati, 30, had owned his £75,000 Maserati for just three days when the gang struck.

The cancer research scientist had parked his pride and joy on a private mews drive in Little Venice. He was woken in the small hours by the sound of its engine starting.

The thief had forced the window down and used a spare ignition key, left in the glove compartment by the car dealership, to get in.

"I was horrified," said Mr Hazrati. "I am not a rich man and had spent every penny on the car. I managed to get downstairs in time to see the thief reversing it out of the drive."

In desperation he jumped into his father's car to give chase but could not keep up with the 180mph sports car.

Three days later Mr Hazrati was reunited with the car - which had had its stereo and tax disc taken out - after police managed to find it before it was shipped.

He has since sold it and bought another Maserati.