Hayley RichardsA DRINK-driver could face perjury charges after claiming he was a cousin of tragic Hayley Richards in a "despicable" plea to magistrates.

Stuart Drake, 39, formerly of The Halve, Trowbridge, was caught drink-driving on the south coast on July 20.

At Weymouth Magistrates Court two days later, Drake's solicitor said in mitigation his client was related to 23-year-old Miss Richards, who was found dead at her Trowbridge home in June.

Ian Graham, defending, said the subsequent murder investigation had a "profound effect" on his client.

Pregnant Miss Richards was found stabbed to death at her Carders Corner home in June. Her ex-boyfriend, Hugo Quintas, 23, of Seymour Court, has been charged with her murder and will next appear in court in October.

After Drake's case appeared in the Wiltshire Times last week, Miss Richards' family came forward and branded him a liar.

Hayley's brother Paul said the family had been devastated when they read the false claims.

He said: "When people say these things they don't realise the pain and hurt they bring to our family at this sad time.

"Stuart Drake is not and never will be a member of our family.

"If it's true what he said, we find it evil and despicable. All we want is to try to rebuild our lives as best we can."

Since Miss Richards' death, tributes have poured in from friends, family and colleagues.

She was described as a beautiful girl, who would do anything for anyone.

The Crown Prosecution Service has now referred Drake's file back to Dorset Police who will gather further facts.

If there is enough evidence to prove he lied under oath, he could be charged with perverting the course of justice.

He appeared before magistrates after being clocked at 90 miles an hour on the A35 in Dorset and driving at nearly double the legal alcohol limit.

He pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol, driving without due care and attention and failing to stop for police.

He also admitted having no test certificate, no insurance and no driving licence and is due to be sentenced on August 18. Drake was due to appear at Weymouth Magistrates Court on Tuesday for unrelated offences but failed to turn up.

He was arrested in Bristol the following day on suspicion of driving while disqualified and drugs offences.