Wem man is spared jail after he lied to police
A man from Shropshire who lied to police to try to get his boss off a drink-driving charge has been spared jail.
A court heard that the offence by Steven Haynes, from Wem, was 'stupid rather than wicked'.
Haynes was a passenger in a Renault Laguna being driven by Kevin Rowlands when it was stopped by police in Battlefield, Shrewsbury, on June 17 last year.
Shrewsbury Crown Court heard Haynes told police at the scene Mr Rowlands was the driver of the car and he was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving.
But Mr Robert Edwards, prosecuting, said when Haynes was re-interviewed by police months later he changed his story and said another man was driving.
Mr Rowlands appeared at Shrewsbury Magistrates Court on October 31 last year for trial, but changed his plea to guilty at the last minute and was fined.
Haynes later admitted to police he had lied. The 26-year-old, of Eckford Park, Wem, had previously admitted perverting the course of justice and appeared at Shrewsbury Crown Court yesterday to be sentenced.
Judge Peter Barrie sentenced Haynes to eight months in prison, but suspended the term for a period of 12 months. He was also ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work and pay £1,200 court costs.
Judge Barrie said: "Your offence was more one of stupidity than wickedness."
Mr Stephen Scully, for Haynes, said his client was a man of previous good character who felt some kind of 'misplaced loyalty' towards Mr Rowlands.
