A BANNED driver, aged 19, with a passion for cars was caught by police driving a vehicle near his home, a court heard.

But, instead of giving his own name to police, Ian Rice gave the name, address and date of birth of a friend.

And his deception did not come to light until his friend was summoned to court for an offence he knew nothing about.

Rice narrowly escaped jail and was sentenced to a 150-hour Community Punishment Order and banned from driving.

Rice, of Knutshaw Crescent, Hunger Hill, Bolton, appeared for sentence at Bolton Crown Court. He admitted perverting the course of justice and driving while disqualified.

Prosecutor Bob Sastry said that police officers stopped Rice in Knutshaw Crescent.

When asked to give his name, he gave the personal details of a friend and said he would produce his documents at the police station.

He failed to produce his documents and it was only when his friend was summoned to court that the police made further enquiries and arrested Rice.

Rice told police that he gave his friend's details because he knew he was banned.

Recorder Stephen Bedford said it had been "a mean and despicable thing to cause somebody innocent to be brought before a court".