An uninsured driver was caught giving her sister’s name to the police when she was pulled over in Abertillery, Blaenau Gwent. Laura White, 35, was driving without insurance on the A467 on March 29 when she was stopped by the authorities. Despite being previously convicted of driving without insurance, White blatantly lied about her identity by providing her younger sister Josephine White’s details. The case unfolded at Newport Crown Court where it was revealed that White initially claimed she was driving a friend’s vehicle, believing she was covered by insurance. However, when faced with the consequences of her actions, she maintained the false identity.
During the sentencing hearing, it was disclosed that a letter of prosecution was mistakenly sent to Josephine White, who promptly contacted the police on April 12 to clarify that she was not the driver. Laura White was eventually confronted by her sister but persistently denied providing the authorities with false information. Subsequently, White admitted to fabricating her identity out of panic during a voluntary interview on May 26. The court was told she pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice and driving without insurance, acknowledging her wrongdoings.
In court, Jason Howells, the prosecutor, highlighted White’s prior conviction for driving without insurance and a caution for a battery offence. Despite these past transgressions, defence barrister Alice Sykes emphasised White’s genuine remorse and the potential adverse impact on her two children should she be incarcerated. Judge Carl Harrison ultimately handed down a suspended sentence of 21 weeks, along with 80 hours of unpaid work, a £363 fine, and a six-month driving ban. He chastised White for implicating an innocent person and perpetuating the lie when confronted by her sister.
The judge underscored the gravity of White’s actions, noting that she had caused unwarranted distress to her sister by involving her in the deceit. The sentencing aimed to hold White accountable for her reckless behaviour while considering the well-being of her dependents. White’s admission of guilt and expression of remorse played a pivotal role in the judge’s decision to impose a suspended sentence, ensuring she faces consequences for her actions without immediately separating her from her children. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the repercussions of dishonesty in legal matters and the importance of taking responsibility for one’s actions.