Expectant dad is jailed over driving offences

AN EXPECTANT dad will miss the birth of his first child after being jailed for giving fake details to the police.

Ethan Brown, 25, who was disqualified from driving, gave an officer his brother’s details when he was caught behind the wheel and has been sent to prison for 10 months.

The court heard his first child was due to be born within a matter of hours.

Speaking at Cardiff Crown Court yesterday, his barrister Kevin Seal said: “He will do anything and abide by any order rather than lose his liberty today.”

Brown was disqualified for five years in April 2014, and ordered to pass an extended re-test, when he was sentenced for dangerous driving.

Bethan Evans, prosecuting, said he was stopped by a police officer in Rumney in Cardiff for turning right where he was not allowed to do so at around 5pm on September 10 last year.

The court heard the defendant, who was driving a Ford Escort, gave his brother’s details and subsequently admitted driving without insurance.

Prosecutors said his brother, who held a clean driving licence, received six penalty points. The defendant’s brother later contacted the DVLA, court, and police when his insurance company told him he had failed to declare a conviction.

Ms Evans said Brown went to Cardiff Bay Police Station and made admissions.

He told officers he had been a passenger in the vehicle when he had an argument with the driver, who got out and left, so he took over driving.

His brother made a statutory declaration in the magistrates’ court and the conviction was set aside.

Brown, from Jonquil Close in Trowbridge, Cardiff, admitted perverting the course of justice.

Mr Seal said his client had not informed his employer he was disqualified from driving but usually managed to get lifts when he needed them.

He told the court Brown needed to travel for work and decided to get behind the wheel then “panicked” when he was stopped by the police .

Mr Seal described the defendant as a “valuable employee” and said his employer was now aware of the situation and willing to make arrangements for his travel.

The court heard he and his partner are expecting their first child to be born in the next 24 to 48 hours.

Mr Seal told the court the defendant realises his brother, partner and unborn baby are suffering as a result of his actions.

He added: “He appreciates he has been a fool.”

In her sentencing remarks Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke said: “This was deliberate activity to avoid the consequences of what you had done.”

She told the defendant there had to be “exceptional circumstances” for her not to impose an immediate custodial sentence.

The judge added: “I am afraid this is not an exceptional case.”

Brown was jailed for 10 months and the judge reminded him he is still disqualified from driving.