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Man jailed after blaming speeding ticket on fictional Frenchman | Man jailed after blaming speeding ticket on fictional Frenchman |
(1 day later) | |
A man who tried to avoid a speeding ticket by claiming a fictional Frenchman named after a Paris waxworks museum was driving has been jailed. | A man who tried to avoid a speeding ticket by claiming a fictional Frenchman named after a Paris waxworks museum was driving has been jailed. |
Christopher Henry, 52, was caught by a mobile speed trap driving his ex-wife's 4x4 in Hampshire in February 2016. | Christopher Henry, 52, was caught by a mobile speed trap driving his ex-wife's 4x4 in Hampshire in February 2016. |
After the offence, which would have resulted in a £100 fine, he "created an extraordinary web of lies" across two years, Hampshire police said. | After the offence, which would have resulted in a £100 fine, he "created an extraordinary web of lies" across two years, Hampshire police said. |
Henry was jailed for 12 months for perverting the course of justice. | Henry was jailed for 12 months for perverting the course of justice. |
Henry was described as a "fantasist" and "akin to Walter Mitty" by the judge during sentencing at Winchester Crown Court. | Henry was described as a "fantasist" and "akin to Walter Mitty" by the judge during sentencing at Winchester Crown Court. |
He was caught speeding on the A343 Newbury Road in Hurstbourne Tarrant before police sent a speeding ticket to his ex-wife - who owned the Land Rover Freelander he was driving. | He was caught speeding on the A343 Newbury Road in Hurstbourne Tarrant before police sent a speeding ticket to his ex-wife - who owned the Land Rover Freelander he was driving. |
Henry, of Church Road in Weston-on-the-Green, Oxfordshire, intercepted her post and returned the paperwork stating a man called Grevin Musee - Paris waxwork museum Musee Grevin in reverse - was the driver and new owner of the car. | |
Police said the documents were sent to Monsieur Musee, which translates as Mr Museum, and that they were returned claiming a man from the Isle of Lewis named George Harris was in fact the driver. | Police said the documents were sent to Monsieur Musee, which translates as Mr Museum, and that they were returned claiming a man from the Isle of Lewis named George Harris was in fact the driver. |
A two-year investigation established that neither man existed. | A two-year investigation established that neither man existed. |
Hampshire police said it was told by Interpol that its French suspect was in fact the name of the Paris waxwork museum. | Hampshire police said it was told by Interpol that its French suspect was in fact the name of the Paris waxwork museum. |
Henry was caught after his fingerprints were found on the original speeding fine documents. | Henry was caught after his fingerprints were found on the original speeding fine documents. |
He had also given the fake name name to Avon and Somerset Police when an Audi TT registered to Henry was caught speeding in August later the same year. | He had also given the fake name name to Avon and Somerset Police when an Audi TT registered to Henry was caught speeding in August later the same year. |
It was then found he had provided false dates of sale to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, set up bogus email addresses and doctored messages from insurers in a bid to cover his tracks, police said. | It was then found he had provided false dates of sale to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, set up bogus email addresses and doctored messages from insurers in a bid to cover his tracks, police said. |
PC Richard Jewell, who investigated the case, said: "He would have got points and a fine but now he has a criminal record and time in prison." | PC Richard Jewell, who investigated the case, said: "He would have got points and a fine but now he has a criminal record and time in prison." |
Henry was given six points for the original offence and fined £800, which was raised when he appealed to £1,600, with a three-month disqualification from driving. | Henry was given six points for the original offence and fined £800, which was raised when he appealed to £1,600, with a three-month disqualification from driving. |
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