Motorists are being advised they could be handed a maximum term of life imprisonment if they lie to police.

It follows the conviction of a driver who twice lied about her circumstances in a bid to avoid prosecution.

27 year-old Viki Carey was caught on camera speeding and driving on the wrong side of the road in two separate incidents – the first in Nutley, then in East Grinstead.

She denied any wrongdoing until summoned to court whereby Carey pleaded guilty to two counts of perverting the course of justice. She was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for two years. She was also ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work and pay £535 in costs.

In another recent conviction, a taxi driver was caught out after lying about speeding and red light offences in the Gatwick area.

When questioned about this Erkan Mustafa falsely nominated a man who supposedly lived in Cyprus as the driver. The man did not exist and Mustafa was subsequently charged with committing a series of acts with intent to pervert the course of justice.

The 62-year-old from Horley pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 35 weeks in prison, suspended for two years. He was also ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work and pay £670 costs.

Sussex Police’s Paul Gray has warned drivers that “By lying about a seemingly minor motoring offence you are perverting the course of justice, a far more serious offence which carries a maximum term of life imprisonment. People should be aware that a conviction for this offence comes with a criminal record which could affect future employment opportunities, travel to foreign countries such as America and Australia, and other aspects of your life.

“By comparison, offences detected by safety cameras – excess speed and contravening a red traffic light – carry a maximum of a period of disqualification from driving and a up to a £1,000 fine, and does not come with a criminal record.”