A MOTORIST who lied to avoid a speeding penalty has been sentenced to six weeks' imprisonment.

Saddo El-Yassir, 52, of Booth Road, Colindale, London, attempted to nominate a false driver to police after a speed camera showed his vehicle travelling at excessive speed in Preston Road, Brighton on July 6, 2019.

The electrician failed to respond to two notices asking him to identify who was driving the green Mercedes that was registered in his name.

He nominated another man at an address in Brent, London but officers found no evidence that the man existed.

Police enquiries also found that the licence of the nominated driver contained several nominations from different individuals for other speeding offences.

It is believed the driver’s licence was used as a “ghost licence” for drivers to avoid points and penalties for traffic offences.

El-Yassir was initially convicted at a magistrates’ court hearing in January 2020 and was ordered to pay a £660 fine, £85 costs and a £66 victim surcharge.

He launched an appeal against the conviction but failed to attend the appeal hearing.

Officers investigating his claims questioned El-Yassit about handwriting on the forms he supplied to nominate another driver. He claimed a garage had filled in forms he supplied to nominate a driver, but did not disclose the location of the garage or who he spoke to.

He was then charged with perverting the course of justice and found guilty at Chichester Crown Court on April 13.

In sentencing on May 26, the court also ordered El-Yassir to pay a £122 victim surcharge.

Investigating officer Christopher Raynor said: “El-Yassir was someone who was clearly using false details in order to escape prosecution.

“The original offence was for travelling at 38mph in a 30mph zone.

“It would have attracted six penalty points on his licence and a fixed penalty notice. Instead, he tried to use a ghost licence.

“This sentence shows that those who attempt to deceive the police and the courts will be caught and will face prosecution.”

El-Yassir was convicted as part of Operation Pinocchio, which aims to improve safety on Sussex’s roads.