A man has been jailed for more than two years after lying to the police about a crash which caused major damage to his car.

Scott Churchman from Chorley, pleaded guilty on Friday July 9 to one count of dangerous driving and one count of attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Worcester Crown Court hear how on the morning of May 28 last year, Churchman, 35, was driving his vehicle along the A4137 in Herefordshire.

The court was told how he performed an overtake manoeuvre that resulted in a crash, which caused significant damage to his vehicle and an oncoming car, before he fled the scene.

Fortunately, no one was injured.

Later that morning, Churchman contacted Gwent Police by telephone claiming his car had been hit by a lorry in their area.

In an interview with Hereford Operations Patrol Unit officers he maintained he had travelled down the M6, M50 and A40 and was not on the A4137.

However, extensive forensic enquiries provided the evidence that he had in fact been driving the vehicle on the A4137.

Police Constable Jamie Carr, of Hereford OPU, said: “The sentence imposed upon Churchman reflects the severity of his crime of dangerous driving and attempting to prevent the course of justice.

"This outcome is testament to a thorough criminal investigation by officers from Hereford Operations Patrol Unit.

“I hope that this sentence demonstrates that all reports of dangerous driving will be investigated thoroughly and falsifying whereabouts and details are criminal matters and punishable with a custodial prison sentence.”

Churchman, of Eccleston, Chorley, was sentenced to 26 months in prison and was disqualified from driving for 25 months with a requirement to sit an extended test.