AN AUDI driver tried to get out of a speeding ticket by buying different number plates to convince officers they had been cloned.

James Studholme tried to escape punishment for driving his S3 at 60mph in a 30mph zone on the A22 at Halland, East Sussex.

The 23-year-old bought new front and back plates and sent photos of them to police to try and escape prosecution.

Studholme, from Winchelsea, also gave police a false alibi for where he was on February 7 last year.

He was interviewed by police and admitted lying.

Studholme was charged with perverting the course of justice and appeared at Lewes Crown Court.

He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to eight months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years.

Chris Raynor, of the Sussex Police camera and ticket process team, said: “Studholme was of previous good character, but he now has a criminal record for a very serious offence.”

Studholme was caught on a camera speed and, as the registered keeper of the Audi S3, received a notice of intended prosecution in the post.

He claimed was not his vehicle speeding, as he had different number plates.

Studholme was asked for photographic proof of his number plate but returned images of the rear number plate that did not include the supplier’s name.

He was then asked to provide further images but again the images he returned showed both number plates were differed from those captured by the speed camera.

Enquiries were made with the number plate supplier, who confirmed the rear number plate had been purchased by Studholme on April 9 after he was first asked for photographic proof.

While the front plate was purchased on April 27 – after he was asked for further images.

At this point, police believed it was clear he had purchased the number plates after the offence was committed in order to escape prosecution.

Initially, he believed just one number plate was needed to be purchased in order to supply proof of his "different" number plate.

When he was asked for further images of all sides of his vehicle he then had to purchase a front number plate as well as the rear.

On July 30, 2020, Studholme attended Shoreham Police Station for a voluntary attendance interview, where he provided an alibi.

This was followed up by police and confirmed to be false.

He again attended Shoreham Police Station on 4 March this year and was interviewed under caution.

This time, he fully admitted the offence. He explained he had lied, had changed the number plates and lied about the alibi.

The matter was submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service, which made a decision to prosecute Studholme.

As part of his sentence, Studholme will be required to carry out 260 hours of unpaid work within 12 months.

He was also ordered to pay £85.00 costs and a £156 victim surcharge.