A banned driver charged with perverting the course of justice has been released on unconditional bail to appear before magistrates next month.
Sean Wilson, 21, of Angela Street, Blackburn, allegedly told a court that four members of his family had died in a car crash.
Police said they had "reason to believe" that the crash had not taken place after information supplied by the Lancashire Telegraph.
Wilson, who was caught driving while banned in Haslingden, had been facing prison.
But he was given an 18-month community order with supervision, 200 hours' unpaid work and six points on his licence.
He is due to appear before Burnley magistrates on February 4.
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