A LIAR who paid his mate to take the blame for speeding fines has been jailed.

Terry Adams was caught travelling at 37mph in a 30mph zone in Hailsham Road, Heathfield on three separate occasions.

But the 49-year-old butcher didn’t want to pay up, so paid his 51-year-old friend Lee Surridge £1,000 to claim responsibility instead.

Adams was sent a police notice after one offence, and nominated another driver who knew nothing about it.

Before this he had nominated Surridge for two speeding offences at the same place on May 15 last year.

Earlier this month both men admitted perverting the course of justice at Lewes Crown Court.

Adams was jailed for a total of ten months.

Surridge was given a 12-week suspended prison sentence, and must complete 100 hours of community service.

It was revealed that photographic evidence was used to show Adams was in fact driving at the time of all three offences.

The court also heard that he had paid Surridge £1,000 to take the blame for the pair.

They were arrested in May this year and taken into custody.

The duo pleaded guilty on August 2.

Adams, of Burwash Road, Heathfield, is now starting his ten month sentence, and was banned from driving for one year and five months.

Surridge, also a butcher, of Bexhill Road, St Leonards, must complete unpaid work and pay £500 cost, with a £140 surcharge.

His early guilty plea was taken into account at the sentencing hearing.

Police say the pair are among offenders caught as part of Operation Pinocchio, first launched in 2016.

The op is to boost road safety and prosecute motorists who provide false details to escape prosecution.

It also prevents law-abiding motorists, who are badly advised, from committing serious criminal offences by attempting to avoid speeding or red light prosecutions.

Chris Raynor, from the Sussex Police camera and ticket process team, said: “This case shows how some people are prepared to avoid their responsibilities for speeding offences at all costs.

“They involve other people in their attempt to avoid prosecution, including nominating innocent people, and have little regard for the problems it causes.”