Shropshire farmer told police dead neighbour was driving his car after getting speeding fine
A Shropshire farmer faces jail after he was given a speeding fine - and nominated his dead neighbour as the driver.
Sheep farmer Andrew Evans now faces a possible prison sentence for lying to the police.
The 48-year-old, of Ludlow, triggered a speed camera when he zoomed down a busy Plymouth street at 6pm on April 14 last year doing 51mph in a 30mph zone.
But when he received a prosecution notice in the post he claimed it was actually his neighbour Ben Hughes who had been behind the wheel.
It was only when police looked up Hughes to pass the prosecution on to him that they discovered he had died four and a half months earlier.
Evans, of Ludlow, appeared at Plymouth Crown Court on Monday, where a judge told him to expect a prison sentence for lying to the police.
He appeared before a judge in custody after he was arrested for failing to attend a hearing last week.
The Shropshire farmer, who has a flock of 700 sheep, pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice by denying the offence, which he committed on April 14 last year.
Michael Green, defending, said Evans had no previous convictions but had "buried his head in the sand" about the offence.
Evans was released on bail to appear for sentencing on November 13.
Recorder James Waddington told him: "Do not take the fact that I have released you on bail or that I have ordered a pre-sentence report be any indication that you will receive anything other than a custodial sentence.
"This was a serious offence."
