Speeder tried to pin crime on stepfather

Mark Barnett had six penalty points on his licence and 'panicked' when the summons arrived at the family home, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told.

His stepfather was listed as the registered keeper of the car after helping him to buy it, explained Mr Harinderpal Dhami, prosecuting.

But it was insured in the name of the 21-year-old who was at the wheel when the vehicle triggered a speed camera while travelling at 51 mph in a 40 limit on the Black Country Route near Wednesbury on April 22 last year.

Letters were sent to both him and his stepfather asking who was driving the car but the older man had ultimate responsibility to ensure the information was provided for the authorities.

But the defendant intercepted all the mail and kept it while also allegedly falling victim to a scam when paying a mystery man £150 to make details of the speeding offence 'disappear,' the court heard.

Four months later Barnett finally confessed to his mother what he had done and went voluntarily to the police to confess.

Miss Saleema Mahmood, defending, explained: "He behaved in a reckless, immature and inappropriate manner.

"He had six penalty points on his licence and panicked at the prospect of another prosecution."

Barnett, of previous good character, from Church Green, Bilston admitted attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Barnett was given an eight-month prison sentence suspended for a year with £150 hours unpaid work and £500 costs.