A MAN subject to a suspended prison sentence risked having it activated when he provided police with a false name while supervising an unqualified driver.

Adam Lee Bone received a nine-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, at Durham Crown Court in October 2020, after admitting dangerous driving.

It followed a dispute with another driver which culminated in a collision on the hard-shoulder of the A19, in County Durham, on May 30, 2018.

As part of the sentence Bone was ordered to carry out 120-hours' unpaid work and undergo 15 rehabilitation activity days working with the Probation Service, while he was banned from driving for 12 months and told he must pass an extended re-test to be able to legally drive again.

But the 30-year-old defendant, of Taylor Grove, Wingate, was back before the court having been committed by the magistrates for sentence, after admitting obstructing a police officer, in breach of the suspended prison sentence.

Christopher Bevan, prosecuting, said the defendant was a passenger in a vehicle stopped by police for alleged speeding, on February 4 this year.

He was asked by a police officer if he was the supervising driver and he said he was, but when asked for his identity, he gave the details of someone else.

A system check revealed that person had a full driving licence.

Mr Bevan said, however, when the case was reviewed another officer recognised the supervising driver as being Bone, which meant he had provided false details at the roadside.

Read more: Arrested Shildon man gave police false details

Shaun Dryden, for the defendant, said he was due to undergo an imminent hospital operation.

Although not employed at the moment, Mr Dryden said the defendant is in the interviewing process for a job.

Judge James Adkin said, given the level of offence and the fact the defendant has, “a big operation” looming, it would be unjust, in the circumstances, to activate the prison sentence.

Judge Adkin told Bone he would merely add another ten rehabilitation activity days to the original sentence, “to try to keep you on the straight and narrow., with a view to getting you back into employment.”

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