Jail for Facebook speeding cheat

Scott Woodburn (32) of Hill Crest Road, East Dene, wanted someone who would falsely confess to a speeding offence committed on Halifax Road, Sheffield, on November 6, 2011, in return for cash.

Daniel Baggaley (26), from Vikinglea Drive, Lower Manor, Sheffield, answered the ad and subsequently accepted £250 from Woodburn in return for his false confession to police.

Enquiries carried out by the South Yorkshire Safety Camera Partnership Enquiry Team uncovered the conspiracy and Woodburn was subsequently arrested.

Police used forensic techniques to prove that Woodburn had been driving at the time of the speeding offence and — despite initially refusing to co-operate with the investigation — he pleaded guilty to attempting pervert the course of justice.

Woodburn was handed a five-month prison sentence and was also disqualified from driving for six months at a hearing at Sheffield Crown Court.

Baggaley had already been issued with an 11-week custodial sentence, suspended for 12 months, and a 12-month supervision order at a hearing at the same court on June 27.

A spokesperson for South Yorkshire Safer Roads Partnership said: “Hopefully this case will send a warning to anyone who would consider anything so irresponsible.

“It is a crime to admit an offence on behalf of someone else. If someone approaches you to admit an offence on their behalf you should inform the police.

“Woodburn showed no regard for anyone else. He was prepared to drive at excessive speed, once caught rather than changing the manner of his driving he selfishly paid to have someone else to take the blame so that he could continue behaving as before.

“South Yorkshire Safer Roads Partnership aim to improve road safety on South Yorkshire's roads by tracing and prosecuting serial offenders who provide false information in an attempt to avoid prosecution.  

“These offenders are a danger to themselves and other road users.”