THE daughter of a woman involved in a road collision submitted an “independent witness” statement in support of her mother’s case, a court heard.

Durham Crown Court was told, however, that she was not actually present, but was trying to support her mother, who still claims she was not to blame for the crash.

Sakina Javaid was at the wheel of a Land Rover Freelander which collided with a BMW on a roundabout on the A693, Rotary Way, Stanley, on Thursday, March 6, at 7.30pm.

Javaid, whose daughter Palvasha Javaid was a front seat passenger, blamed the BMW driver, an off-duty police officer.

The court was told his brother, also an off-duty police officer, was the front seat passenger in the BMW.

Deborah Smithies, prosecuting, said an investigation began to see if any driving offences were committed.

It emerged that in submitting insurance documentation Sakina Javaid, mentioned an ‘independent witness’ who claimed to have seen what happened.

Both she and daughter Palvasha submitted injury claims.

Police discovered an Ammna Ahmad had given a statement to an insurance company, who forwarded it to insurers acting for the police officer.

“In that statement she said she was a witness and blamed the BMW driver for the collision.”

Miss Smithies said Sakina Javaid was interviewed and claimed not to know the witness.

“But when the ‘independent witness’, Ammna Ahmad, was spoken to, she admitted she was actually at home at the time.

“She revealed she was contacted by her mother, Sakina Javaid, but said she had not put any pressure on her.”

Miss Smithies said it appeared to be akin to “emotional blackmail”.

“She said her sister phoned her and told her what to say about the accident.”

Miss Smithies added that the total value of the insurance claim was £2,886.29, to pay for repairs, while the BMW driver had to pay £200 insurance excess.

Their actions following the accident resulted in the mother and both daughters being charged.

Fifty-seven-year-old Sakina Javaid and Palvasha Javaid, 22, both of Ivy Cottage, Craghead, near Stanley, admitting perverting the course of justice.

Sakina Javaid, and 31-year-old Ammna Ahmad, of Warton Terrace, Heaton, Newcastle, both admitted fraud by false representation.

Jane Foley, for Sakina Javaid, who has no previous convictions, said the case caused her “a deal of stress”, but she was “thoroughly ashamed” of her actions.

Jonathan Pigford, for Ahmad, and Peter Walsh, for Palvasha Javaid, said they played lesser roles, in support of their mother.

Sakina Javaid was given a four-month prison sentence, suspended for a year, with 150 hours’ unpaid work.

Palvasha Javaid was given a two-month sentence, suspended for a year, with 100 hours’ unpaid work.

Ahmad was given a one-year community order, with 40-hours’ unpaid work.