Luton speed camera lies driver jailed
A restaurant owner from Luton who gave police the names of fictitious drivers when caught by two speed cameras has been jailed for 28 days.
Mohammed Karim, 41, of Blakeney Drive, admitted two charges of perverting the course of justice.
Luton Crown Court heard his car was clocked by a camera in the town's Stuart Street in October 2008.
Police only became aware of the offence when he lied about speeding in Montrose Avenue in November last year.
Claudette Elliott, prosecuting, said Karim was driving 8mph over the speed limit in Stuart Street.
When asked to name the driver, he said it was a Mr Uddin from Bangladesh, and the police took no further action.
'Emboldened by success'
A year later, he was caught travelling at at 37mph in a 30mph zone, after which he named the driver as a Mr Miah, also from Bangladesh.
"This time it did not work," said Ms Elliott, "and after a lot of prevarication he did accept he was the driver."
Emma Reed, defending, said Karim was the "backbone" of his restaurant in Watford.
Judge Michael Kay QC told him: "Emboldened by your initial success you did the same again, then you sought to brazen out the situation and continued to lie.
"You come before the court with no previous convictions and a raft of references which attest to you as a hard-working, honest and charitable individual.
"But this offence undermines the criminal justice system and wastes resources and in your case you may have avoided disqualification."
Karim was also fined £100 and given three points on his licence.