Banned driver jailed after false name scam fails
A disqualified driver who gave a false name when stopped by police was identified when officers looked at his social media page.
Robert Brown had been banned from driving until 2027 but was caught behind the wheel in Lochgelly.
He then tried to con officers by giving a friend’s name but he ended up in the dock at Dunfermline Sheriff Court for his sixth offence of driving while disqualified.
Brown (30), of Mossbank, Rosyth, admitted that on 3rd December in High Street, Lochgelly, he drove while disqualified and without insurance.
He also admitted he gave police a false name and attempted to pervert the course of justice.
Depute fiscal Clare Bremner said that when Brown was stopped by police he gave a false name and address but admitted he had no insurance.
When police checked that name it came back as him holding a full licence. Police also checked with Brown’s girlfriend and an employer and they both gave the same false name.
Brown was charged with driving with no insurance and his vehicle was seized.
Police later made further inquiries and became suspicious he was not who he was claiming to be.
They established his true identity by looking at photos on his Facebook page.
They also found out that he had been disqualified from driving until 2027.
Defence solicitor Alexander Flett said his client was a carpet fitter and had been released from his last jail sentence in February 2016.
As a result of his criminal past, Brown “couldn’t find employment under his own name and began using a friend’s name”, added the solicitor.
When he was stopped by the police he “stuck with that name”, said Mr Flett.
However, Sheriff Alison McKay pointed out it was Brown’s sixth offence of driving while disqualified.
She jailed Brown for 10 months and banned him from driving for ten years.
