A MAN who lent his car to a learner driver lied about it when a fatal road accident followed, a court heard.

York Crown Court was told that Christopher Alexander Barham falsely accused his seriously-injured friend of taking the vehicle without his consent.

Barham, 22, lied in a bid to keep himself out of trouble and persuaded a second friend, Rebecca Croser, to support his deceit, said Richard Mansell, prosecuting.

But she revealed the truth to police nine days later, ignoring his warning that she should "watch her back".

The barrister said Barham had allowed the driver to take his £14,000 car knowing that he was not a qualified driver and was uninsured.

He later confessed that he himself had been flouting a driving ban imposed for driving without insurance.

Barham, of Glebe Avenue, Full Sutton, pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice and was jailed for six months.

The Honorary Recorder of York, Judge Paul Hoffman, said cases of people, usually young, lying to the police over traffic matters to protect themselves or others were common.

"It is plainly a serious matter which tends to undermine the very foundations of justice. There has to be a sentence to send out the message to deter other people," he said.

Mr Mansell said Barham was suffering from a hangover from a night out in York when the friend asked to be driven to a takeaway. Barham refused and despite warnings from a second person, gave the keys of his Citron Saxo to the friend.

But instead of nipping to the takeaway and back, the driver "clearly intended to get a few hours driving around in this particular car," said Mr Mansell.

He was seriously hurt in a collision which killed a passenger he had picked up.

By then, Barham was looking for his car and discovered what had happened. Then he panicked.

Taryn Turner, representing Barham, said his deceit had been uncovered before the driver was fit enough to be arrested and interviewed.

Barham had debts of £36,000 including a car loan, which he could not hope to pay off. His problems had begun when he started using illegal drugs. He was now trying to stay off drugs and cut down on drinking.

Updated: 12:24 Wednesday, May 29, 2002