A MOTORIST tried to convince a traffic policeman that he was his own brother even after the officer took him home for identity documents and his brother opened the door, Swindon Magistrates Court heard.

Kenneth Cox continued with his charade until someone in the house accidentally let his real name slip, said Stacey Turner, prosecuting.

She said Cox, 29, who gave his address in court as Deburgh Street, Rodbourne, was stopped driving a Peugeot by PC Barrie Card on Great Western Way, Swindon, on Monday.

He had no driving documents with him and when the officer asked for his details he gave the name of his brother Julian.

"PC Card was suspicious because he could not produce anything to confirm his identity," said Miss Turner.

PC Card accompanied Cox home where the front door was opened by Julian Cox, she said.

The defendant still maintained that he was Julian Cox and found a driving licence in that name.

It was then that a woman in the house let the cat out of the bag by calling him by his real name.

Cox, who has previous convictions for obstructing police and drink driving, admitted driving without a licence, using a driving licence with intent to deceive the officer, having no insurance and obstructing police.

The defendant could have spared himself a night in the cells if he had told the truth in the first place, said his solicitor Tony Novogrodski.

Cox, who only has an expired provisional licence, had had a call from his girlfriend and just jumped in a car. When PC Card stopped him he had given his brother's details in a moment of madness.

At home he had produced his younger brother's photo ID.

"That wasn't going to fool anyone," said Mr Novogrodski.

He had not enjoyed his night in the cells and was now full of apologies to the court, Mr Novogrodski added.

Urging the magistrates not to impose a disqualification, he said Cox's brother, who had got on in the world, had promised him that if he sorted himself out he would pay for him to go on an intensive driving course so he could get a full licence.

The bench fined Cox a total of £235 for using the driving licence with intent to deceive, obstruction, having no insurance, and no licence.

He was also told to pay £75 court costs.

Tina Clarke