Suspended sentence for man who lied about car crash

Dean Ahmed caused £2,500 worth of damage to a Ford Escort parked on Dean Road, South Shields, and then drove off.

The 25-year-old waited for two days after the smash on February 6 last year before he went to a police station and reported his vehicle as stolen.

Newcastle Crown Court heard that, before making the false report to the police, Ahmed made a bizarre call to his insurance company.

Prosecutor Michael Bunch told the court: “Initially, during the course of the call, he told them he had hit a parked car and gave them an outline of what happened.

“In the middle of the call he changed his mind and said, in fact, the car had been stolen and he had not had the accident.”

Mr Bunch said during a police interview, Ahmed had another “change of heart” and told them he had been behind the wheel when the accident happened.

The court heard the owner of the damaged car was left anxious and out of pocket while his insurance company sorted out his claim.

Ahmed, of Ryton Court, South Shields, admitted perverting the course of justice.

Mr Recorder William Lowe sentenced him to eight months imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, with 240 hours unpaid work, rehabilitation requirements, £450 fine and 10 points on his driving licence.

The judge told him: “You have caused considerable distress to the owner of the vehicle into which you drove. People normally go to prison for the offence to which you have pleaded guilty.”

Vic Laffey, defending, told the court Ahmed is a full time carer for his ill mother.

Mr Laffey said Ahmed’s explanation for his behaviour is “panic” and added: “He had nothing to gain by doing what he did.

“The insurance company was always going to pick up the bill for this incident. It is not as if he was uninsured.”