Speeding drivers who tell lies to dodge fines are being hunted by police.

Officers have launched a crackdown on motorists who break the speed limit and then spin a story to try to hide their guilt.

So far seven drivers in Sussex have been convicted of perverting the course of justice while a string of others are being investigated.

Roads watchdog Sussex Safer Roads Partnership is compiling pictures of drivers who they believe could be lying to avoid speeding fines and points on their licences.

These records are then passed to Sussex Police detectives who question the suspects and charge them if there is enough evidence they are deliberately lying.

Taxi driver Samih Salib was jailed for six months after his car was repeatedly caught going through safety cameras.

The 34-year-old ignored notices sent to his home in Linthouse Close, Peacehaven, before he finally claimed he had sold his car and created a fake person to blame the offences on.

He then claimed his wife had been driving.

When he appeared at Lewes Crown Court on November 12 he was convicted of perverting the course of justice, jailed for six months, banned from driving for a year and ordered to pay an £80 victim surcharge.

Dentist Priti Barua claimed she had left her car at Halfords and that its staff must have committed two separate speeding offences. She created fake receipts to try to support her lies.

The 46-year-old from Highcroft Villas, Brighton, was given an eight month suspended sentence, banned from driving for a year and ordered to pay £1500 costs.

Robert Tuffield tried to help a driver who had been caught speeding from getting points on their licence by claiming he had been behind the wheel at the time.

The 40-year-old, of Chanctonbury Road, Burgess Hill, was given a four month suspended sentence, told to do 140 hours of community service and was tagged and banned from leaving his home at night for two months.

Detective Inspector Gavin Patch, of East Sussex CID, said: "If you think you can get away with speeding by giving us false details or making up a story, think again.

"Our staff are experts at spotting lies on forms and will find you out.”

If you have information about antisocial driving call 101 or visit www.operationcrackdown.co.uk.