Party mum posed as sister when stopped by the police
JUDGE BLASTS ‘STUPID’ DECISION AFTER WOMAN UNWITTINGLY DROVE STOLEN CAR
A MUM posed as her own halfsister after she was arrested when she unknowingly drove a stolen car away from an all-night party to buy booze and cigarettes.
Jenna Butler, 24, had been offered the Kia Sportage by a fellow guest to drive the shops to buy cigarettes and alcohol in Stockport.
But she did not realise the vehicle had been stolen during a burglary two weeks earlier and fitted with false registration plates.
Police stopped the car but Butler - who was due in civil court for a hearing - falsely gave the name of her half-sister Zoe Cooke and spun a ‘pack of lies’ for fear her arrest could affect the outcome of that hearing. Butler kept up the pretence during a police interview, but eventually confessed she had been lying after officers made further enquiries.
Miss Cooke was not arrested but another woman was quizzed over claims her boyfriend had acquired the stolen car. No one was arrested over the theft.
At Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court, Butler, from Atherton, Wigan, admitted perverting the course of justice.
She was ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work as part of a two-year community order.
Prosecuting, Simone Flynn said: “She told officers that her half-sister had full comprehensive insurance to drive and she did not.
“She said there were [civil] court proceedings going... and she wanted to ensure she could attend court. No one has been arrested with regards to the theft.”
In mitigation, defence lawyer Michael Johnson said: ‘’She had been at a party and she was given the keys and allowed to take the car and that is when she was stopped by police.’’
Sentencing, Judge John Potter told Butler: “You had been concerned about whether you would be remanded in custody which would impact your attending court.
“That’s the reason why you lied to police - an exceptionally stupid thing for you to have done.
“All you have done is made your situation worse. Lying does make things worse particularly to police.
“It was a foolish and stupid decision,” he said.