A Dagenham driver who tried to avoid a £100 speeding fine by forging documents has been handed a suspended sentence.

Tammika Samuel, 28, of Croppath Road, was caught driving at 40mph in a 30mph zone along Lambourne Road, Chigwell, in August last year.

Notices were sent to her requesting the driver’s identity, and she replied that it was a driver who lived in New York.

When she was contacted for proof of insurance for the nominated driver, a certificate of insurance was sent that was found to be forged.

Enquiries failed to identify the named person or any evidence they were in the UK at the time of the offence.

Samuel was charged with committing a series of acts intending to pervert the course of justice and using a false instrument.

She pleaded guilty at Basildon Crown Court last month and at the same court on Tuesday, was handed a nine month jail term, suspended for 18 months.

She was also ordered to complete 250 hours unpaid work with a 30 day rehabilitation activity requirement and to pay costs of £1,300 within three months.

Investigating officer Roy Keyes said: “This case was aggravated by the fact that forged documents were sent in to us in an effort to avoid action being taken.

“Trying to avoid a notification by giving false details will not be tolerated. We will investigate all speeding offences and bring the perpetrator to justice.

“Instead of taking the original penalty issued of £100 and three points, the suspect in this case received a far heftier sentence due to her being uncooperative.”