Yahoo News Gateshead man avoided prosecution for drug-driving by giving police his brother's name
A driver who was under the influence of drugs and using his phone at the wheel avoided prosecution for those offences by pretending to be his brother.
Police were on patrol in Byker, Newcastle, around 1.25pm on April 18 last year when they saw Jameel Colley driving an Audi A3 while using his mobile phone. When officers pulled him over, they could smell cannabis and Colley appeared intoxicated. Tests confirmed he had taken cannabis and he was arrested.
Newcastle Crown Court heard Colley then gave his brother's name and date of birth instead of his own. A postal requisition was later sent to his brother requiring him to attend court.
At that point Colley, 27, of Greenwood Gardens, Gateshead, came clean to avoid his brother getting into trouble. He said he had panicked and had been suffering anxiety.
By his actions, he avoided prosecution for drug-driving and using a phone at the wheel due to the fact the statutory time limit had been exceeded by that point.
Colley pleaded guilty to doing acts tending or intended to pervert the course of justice and was sentenced to four months suspended for 12 months with a £1,000 fine, £1,000 costs and a two-year driving ban.
Judge Julie Clemitson told him: "You successfully avoided being prosecuted for drug-driving and using a mobile phone while driving. You will understand that this sort of offence normally attracts an immediate custodial sentence because it strikes at the very heart of the criminal justice system."
Mairi Clancy, defending, said the offending was unsophisticated and that Colley was struggling with the death of his grandmother at the time he made the "bad decision".
She added that he "contributes to society as an educated professional" and works in "tech support". She said his faith is important to him and that character references show his behaviour was out of character and that he is usually honest.
Miss Clancy added that Colley continues to live with his family, including his brother and she added: "He regrets his actions and he apologises through me to the court and says he was not thinking straight - it's not that he doesn't have regard for the law generally."
