A banned driver pretended to be his twin brother when he was pulled over by police - after already duping the DVLA into giving him a licence with his sibling's name on it.
Lee Roberts was stopped by police near his home on Saturday, November 28, suspecting he had been banned from driving.
They asked the 39-year-old to give them his name and present his driving licence when stopped on Thorn Road in Runcorn, but Roberts claimed to be his twin brother and produced a licence with his sibling's name on it.
But he eventually admitted his true identity after officers continued to question him on the roadside.
It then emerged that Roberts had not had a valid licence since being banned from driving in 2001 and had in fact duped the DVLA into giving him one with his brother's name on it.
His brother has his own licence and was unaware that Roberts also had one in his name, Cheshire Live reports.
Roberts admitted to charges of driving while disqualified, using a motor vehicle without insurance and using a licence with intent to deceive.
He was sentenced to 16 months in prison and banned from driving for 20 months during a hearing at Chester Crown Court on May 5.
Police Constable Phil Halliday, who led the investigation at Cheshire Constabulary’s Roads and Crime Unit, said: "Lee Roberts duped the DVLA into giving him a photocard driving licence in his brother’s name.
"He then tried to dupe the police by claiming to be his brother after being seen driving a hire car whilst banned.
"Driving a motor vehicle is a privilege, not a right.
"Roberts clearly thought he was above the law and that he could get away with driving whilst disqualified and not insured.
"He was sorely mistaken and is now behind bars facing the consequences of his actions.
"I hope this case provides some reassurance to motorists and that it, and the sentence that has been handed down by Chester Crown Court, deters others from continuing to drive when banned from doing so."
