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A sly mother got her unsuspecting boyfriend banned from the roads by repeatedly lying that he had been driving when she got clocked speeding.

Lauren Taylor was flashed by speed cameras three times in three months while driving a Nissan Qashqai.

When letters arrived asking her to identify who had been driving at the time, she blamed law-abiding Darren Alberts, who had no idea what she was up to.

Newcastle Crown Court heard she then hid post from Alberts to prevent him seeing correspondence about the points, fines and, ultimately, disqualification her dishonestly had landed him with.

Prosecutor Neil Pallister told the court Mr Alberts found out about the crimes in his name when he checked his credit score, which was shockingly low as result of a loan Taylor had taken out, using his details, to buy the car in question.

A check with the DVLA regarding the vehicle confirmed Mr Alberts had three speeding convictions and a driving disqualification - which he knew nothing about.

As a result, he had to attend the court on a "number of occasions" and a handwriting expert was drafted in to prove he was not the person who filled out the forms accepting being the driver. The convictions against him were then overturned in 2017.

The court heard by then, Mr Alberts' had county court judgements against his name as a result of the loan which means he is unable to get credit.

He said in a victim impact statement he is a person who "agrees with the law and the police" and said the whole episode has "devastated my life".

He added: "I am living at my mam's house, I can't get my own place because of this.

"I can't move on with my life. I just want this sorted out once and for all.

"It has totally destroyed my life."

Mr Alberts said he has struggled to eat and sleep as a result of the stress he has undergone.

He added: "I was completely oblivious to the fraud being committed in my name until I checked my credit score, which has always been high. It is now zero.

"I was totally unaware, I have been driving my own car with my daughter inside. This broke my heart.

"I attended six different courts at different times to prove my innocence."

Taylor, 39, of Kedleston Close, Sunderland , who has previous convictions for fraud offences and was on a suspended sentence and a conditional discharge at the time, admitted perverting the course of justice but was spared prison.

Judge Robert Spragg sentenced her to nine months imprisonment, suspended for for 12 months, with rehabilitation requirements and 100 hours unpaid work with a £100 fine.

Judge Spragg said the offences had a "significant effect" on Mr Alberts but added this was "not a case where the appropriate punishment can only be achieved by immediate custody".

The judge said Taylor is a low risk of re-offending, a low risk of causing serious harm to the public, has been out of trouble since the offences and has strong personal mitigation as a result of a difficult childhood.

Judge Spragg added: "Most significantly, immediate custody would in my judgement, have a significant, harmful impact on others.

"I have to think about the effect your incarceration would have on your children."

Mark Styles, defending, said Taylor is "remarkably fragile" and has voluntarily sought help to deal with her problems.

Mr Styles said Taylor had written a letter expressing "genuine remorse" to the court and added: "This matter hanging over her has been a daily worry."