A MOTORIST who tried to evade a speeding conviction by falsely claiming his number plates had been stolen has been jailed for four months.

Jack Scorby Armstrong, 20, of Beech Avenue, Bishopthorpe, York, was given the sentence at York Crown Court yesterday for perverting the course of justice after being caught speeding by North Yorkshire Police’s mobile safety camera.

He was first recorded on June 10, travelling at 40mph through a 30mph speed limit in Temple Lane, Copmanthorpe, and was captured a second time on August 17, driving at 77mph on the B1217 near Staxton, Tadcaster.

The following day he called police to falsely report his number plates had been stolen and also claimed his vehicle was not being used at the time of the second speeding offence.

Subsequent inquiries revealed this was a clear attempt to evade the second speeding conviction and he pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice and two speeding offences.

Safety camera team manager, Dave Brown said the jail sentence clearly demonstrated what happened if people tried to evade speeding offences.

He said: “What could have been a fine and points on a driving licence has now developed into a jail sentence because of Armstrong’s naive belief that he could pull the wool over the eyes of the criminal justice system. He now has ample time to reflect on the consequences of his unlawful actions. I hope this sends a clear message to anyone who thinks they can avoid prosecution by lying and making false claims.”