A SCOUT leader could be jailed over attempts to deny responsibility for a minor car accident.

Rachael Phillips reversed her Daewoo Kalos into a parked car as she was leaving a Scout meeting in Great Lumley, near Chester-le-Street, on September 5, last year.

Durham Crown Court heard that she was giving some of the Scouts a lift home.

Alex Burns, mitigating, said one of Scouts suggested she gave false details in a note to the owner of the other car, a Volvo S40.

She took the advice and told the Scouts to say nothing about the accident.

But when police made inquiries about the collision, Phillips denied any involvement and repeated the denials when questioned further.

Mr Burns said: "She has to face the fact that it was a stupid act, which has just snowballed to a point where she could face a prison sentence."

Phillips, of Green Court, Esh Village, near Durham, admitted carrying out an act intended to pervert the course of justice by leaving false details, and asking others to tell officers investigating that she was not involved in the accident.

She also pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention and failing to stop after an accident.

Judge Tony Lancaster said: "In any view it is a serious offence.

"I have not formed any view yet, and custody may not be the appropriate sentence, but in the circumstances, it seems sensible to have a pre-sentence report rather than rush to deal with it."

Phillips was bailed to return for sentence on Thursday, April 6.