A WOMAN attempted to pass herself off as her aunt after she was caught behind the wheel whilst banned, a court heard.

Jemma Jones, of Bala Road, appeared at Wrexham Magistrates Court on Monday.

The 38-year-old admitted driving whilst disqualified and obstructing police.

James Ashton, prosecuting, told the court Jones had been banned for 36 months on January 31 this year for drug-driving.

But just nine days later, she was stopped whilst driving a Vauxhall Corsa in Ruthin Road, Wrexham.

During the early-hours stop, Jones gave officers false details - supplying the name and address of her aunt.

She was taken to Llay custody facility where she repeated the false details to the custody Sergeant.

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As such, Jones was booked in and treated that night as if she was her aunt.

But, Mr Ashton said, the deception "began to unravel" some hours later when an investigating officer felt Jones looked too young for the date of birth she'd given.

Checks revealed Jones and her aunt were insured on the vehicle and a visit to the latter's address saw the defendant's story collapse - not to mention the photo of Jones on the insurance policy.

Her lies from the time of her arrest on February 9 up to the point of her making full admissions saw several hours of police time and resources wasted.

Mr Ashton said the defendant felt she couldn't give her own details at the roadside and had hoped to be released, with the police being "none the wiser."

Jones represented herself at the hearing, but said little in her own defence.

A probation officer who interviewed her told the court: "Ms Jones accepted full responsibility and didn't seek to minimise her actions.

"She was pressurised to make a delivery [on the day of the offence] and felt she had no choice but to drive.

The Leader:

"In her panic she decided to give the wrong details.

"At the end of last year she broke up from a relationship and after that she accepts she went slightly off the rails.

"There is a pattern of offending as she has previous matters relating to driving.

"And she has been signed off work for four or five years due to her mental health."

The probation officer added the defendant was lucky to have been charged with obstructing police as, if she'd successfully fooled the police about her identity, she could have been charged with perverting the course of justice.

Kimberly Caruana, Chair of the Magistrates, told Jones: "These are very serious offences in the eyes of the court, aggravated by your previous disqualification and driving record."

The Magistrates handed down an eight week custodial term for the driving whilst disqualified - but suspended it for 12 months.

And for the other offence, Jones received a £120 fine.

She must also pay £85 costs and a £154 victim surcharge.

The court added 10 months to her existing driving ban, bringing it to a total of 46 months.