A driver who tried to claim a person living in New York was behind the wheel of her car when it was caught speeding has avoided jail time.

Tammika Samuel was caught driving at 40mph through a 30mph limit area in Lambourne Road, Chigwell on August, 20, last year.

Police then sent a notice to the 28-year-old, of Croppath Road, Dagenham, requesting the identity of the driver at the time of the offence.

Samuel then responded to the letter, claiming the driver was a person who was living at an address in New York.

She was then asked to provide proof of insurance for the nominated driver and sent police certificate of insurance.

However, enquiries with Samuel's insurance company showed the document was forged.

Police were also unable to identify the person she had named as the driver, or any evidence they were in the UK at the time of the offence.

Samuel was reported for intending to pervert the course of justice and using a false instrument, charges she later pleaded guilty to.

On Tuesday (October 31) she was sentenced to nine months in prison, suspended for 18 months.

She was also ordered to carry out 250 hours unpaid work with a 30 day rehabilitation activity requirement and to pay costs of £1,300 within three months.

Investigating officer Roy Keyes, of Essex Police, said: “This case was aggravated by the fact that forged documents were sent in to us in an effort to avoid action being taken.

"Trying to avoid a notification by giving false details will not be tolerated. We will investigate all speeding offences and bring the perpetrator to justice.

"Instead of taking the original penalty issued of £100 and three points, the suspect in this case received a far heftier sentence due to her being uncooperative.”