AN ex-soldier, who gave a friend's details when stopped by police, has escaped a jail term.

Burnley Crown Court heard how David Schofield's mate Mark Brown received a summons but went to the police station and explained what had happened.

Schofield, who is hoping to go back in the Armed Forces, was given a 12 months community rehabilitation order, after a judge said he had been stupid.

Judge David Pirie told him that people who did what he had done invariably lost their liberty but the consequences of prison would affect his future employment and be a real blow.

Schofield, 22, of Rowland Avenue, Nelson, had earlier admitted attempting to pervert the course of justice, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence and using an uninsured vehicle, on September 11.

Mark Fireman, prosecuting, said police stopped the defendant on Manchester Road, Nelson, and he gave Mr Brown's details.

Schofield later told Mr Brown what he had done but, at the time, Mr Brown wasn't quite sure whether the defendant was joking.

He later received a summons but went to the police station and told them it had nothing to do with him.

Robert Crawford, defending, said Schofield panicked when stopped by police and gave Mr Brown's details.

Mr Crawford said custody was Schofield's greatest fear as he would not be able to go back in the Forces if he received a sentence of six months or more.