A disqualified driver tried to avoid arrest by pretending to be his twin brother when police caught him behind the wheel.
Having already tricked the DVLA into giving him a license with his sibling’s name on it, Lee Roberts then told officers he was his brother when they pulled him over.
The 39-year-old twin had been banned from driving when he was stopped by police near his home in Runcorn on November 28, Chester Crown Court was told.
They already suspected he was not allowed to be on the road when they questioned him by the roadside, reports CheshireLive.
They asked Roberts to give them his name and present his driving licence, but he claimed to be his twin brother instead, and produced a licence with his sibling's name on it.
Officers continued to question him and he eventually admitted his true identity.
It emerged that Roberts had not had a valid licence since being banned from driving in 2001 and had 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.
Roberts admitted to charges of driving while disqualified, using a motor vehicle without insurance and using a licence with intent to deceive at Chester Crown Court on May 5,
He was sentenced to 16 months in prison and banned from driving for 20 months during the hearing.
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.”
