Banned driver gave brother's details

A banned driver, who was stopped for speeding in Great Yarmouth tried to avoid prosecution by pretending to police that he was his brother, a court heard yesterday.

Dominic Devine, 34, was caught driving at 60mph in a 30mph zone in Pasteur Road, and when asked by police for his name he gave the details of his brother instead, Norwich Crown Court was told.

Chris Youell, prosecuting, said that as a result of Devine's actions, his brother got a court summons and it then emerged that Devine had given the wrong details as the police officer realised it was not the same man he had stopped.

Devine, of Caister, admitted intending to pervert the course of justice, driving while disqualified and with no insurance in March, last year.

The court heard that Devine had received a three year driving ban for drink driving in 2008.

Jailing him for four months, Judge Philip Curl told Devine: “You gave police false details and claimed you were your brother. You did nothing to put it right in the next six months and your brother was pursued for your offence.”

He added: “The court takes a serious view of this type of offence.”

Danielle O'Donovan, for Devine, said that he had been involved with an argument with his partner, who was normally the driver, and she had got into a taxi: “He did not know what to do. He panicked. In a state of panic he took the car intending to drive to Norwich.”

She said he had given the name of his brother as he wanted to get away from police: “At the time he was not enjoying a brotherly relationship with him.”

She said because he was not in contact with his brother, he had no idea the matter was being proceeded with.

Miss O'Donovan said that as a result of the case the brothers were now on better terms.

“As a result he and his brother are much closer than they ever have been and they had dinner together for the first time in many years.”