Speeding driver who gave false details dodges jail

A driver who pretended to be another motorist after she was caught speeding at 85mph has avoided prison.

Katie Bonser, 39, gave the details of an innocent woman after she broke the limit on a 70mph stretch of the A629, near Skipton in North Yorkshire, in April 2021.

Her actions led to a prosecution being pursued against the innocent driver, who was subsequently fined and given points on her licence.

Bonser, of Thornhill Road in Steeton, near Bradford, was given a nine-month prison sentence suspended for two years at York Crown Court.

She was also ordered to carry out 300 hours of unpaid work and pay a £156 surcharge, having admitted perverting the course of justice at a hearing last month.

PC Michael Ray, who led the investigation into Bonser, said her actions had "caused distress to the falsely prosecuted victim, as well taking up valuable police and court resources".

He added: "This conviction shows that North Yorkshire Police will take strong action against people who use dishonesty as a means of evading prosecution for traffic offences.

"This really isn’t worth it as Bonser now faces far more serious consequences as a result of her actions​."

A North Yorkshire Police spokesperson confirmed the points had since been removed from the innocent driver's license.

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