A MAN pretended to be a pedestrian as he tried to hide the fact he knew who a driver of a speeding van was.

Alexander McLoughlin was arrested after he refused to give the name of a driver police believed to have committed driving offences on September 2.

Leslie Ashton, prosecuting, said officers on patrol saw the vehicle, which was registered to the 26-year-old defendant, allegedly speed in Weaver's Wharf and tried to stop it before having to pursue it through the town.

Shortly after the pursuit, the police saw it parked and abandoned on the roadside. McLoughlin, of Wolverhampton Road, Kidderminster, was near the vehicle. Police questioned him and he pretended to be a pedestrian giving his name as Chris Kelly.

He then tried to run away and was arrested.

Ms Ashton said McLoughlin was formally interviewed and still refused to give the name of the driver of the van. He was given 28 days to comply with the request of West Mercia Police which he failed to do so.

In mitigation, Rob Macrory said McLoughlin lied because he did not want to get in trouble.

"The reason for that is he was simply trying to avoid getting into trouble. He apologises and pleads guilty."

McLoughlin pleaded guilty to obstructing a constable in their duty and failing to give information relating to identification of a driver when he appeared at Kidderminster Magistrates' Court on Thursday, November 20.

Deputy District Judge Miller sentenced the defendant to a community order with 50 hours of unpaid work, imposed a £200 fine, and endorsed his driving license with six penalty points.

He said: "This was a determined effort from him to avoid crime detection."

McLoughlin, who runs a mobile discotheque business and relies on being able to drive, could have lost his driving license as a result of his crimes but Deputy Judge Miller decided against it.

"I don't particularly feel the roads are safe with someone like you around but I have decided not to disqualify you from driving as it wouldn't do you o anyone else any favours," he added.

The defendant was also ordered to pay £85 in court costs and a £60 victim surcharge.