JOHN Williamson gave his brother's name when stopped by police.

Mold Crown Court heard how the brother received a notice that he would be prosecuted for speeding.

But he was innocent and knew nothing about it.

Williamson, 39, of Sandy Lane in Higher Kinnerton, admitted a charge of doing acts intending to pervert the course of justice and driving while disqualified.

He was jailed for eight months and was banned from driving for 22 months.

Judge Niclas Parry told him: "You are no fool.

"You knew that once the police stopped you, that you were going to go to prison which is why you gave your brother's identification."

He said Williamson had continued with that attempt to deceive the police for some time.

He denied the offence in his police interview.

It involved a significant amount of work by the police "to get to the root of all this", said the judge.

He added such offences struck at the heart of the criminal justice system.

"If everyone this people would not be caught and the public would not be protected," said Judge Parry.

Judge Parry said Williamson was a hard working man with health difficulties and a custodial sentence would be difficult for him but his case was aggravated by his poor record.

He also took into account that no-one else had been arrested or detained.

Williamson received a four month sentence for disqualified driving and a four month sentence consecutive for doing acts intending to pervert the course of justice.

Prosecutor David Martin said in July last year police stopped Williamson while he was driving in Northop.

It was alleged he was driving at an excessive speed.

He had no formal identification on him and gave his brother's details.

Williamson said he was insured as a named driver on his father's insurance.

When the brother received a notice of prosecution for speeding he rang the police to protest his innocence.

Checks were carried out and the officer who stopped him recognised Williamson from a photograph on his driving licence.

He attended at the police station voluntarily.

Interviewed, he answered 'no comment'.

Defence barrister Sion ap Mihangel said his cient had pleaded guilty at an early stage.

Fortunately the brother had not been arrested.

He said his client suffered from sleep apnea which was an acute condition which meant that he stopped breathing on occasions.

That would be difficult to manage in custody, he said.

The barrister asked the judge to draw back from immediate custody.