A driver who lied to the police about whether he was behind the wheel of a speeding car avoided jail.

Bradley Burlton, 24, was recorded driving at 80mph in a hired Golf GTi in a 40mph limit on the A10 Great Cambridge Road at Cheshunt on August 17 last year.

Daniel Siong, prosecuting, told St Albans crown court yesterday that when Burlton received a notice of intended prosecution he denied he was the driver.

He said: "The police went to some lengths to investigate and had to obtain evidence from ANPR cameras in the area."

When questioned by officers he said "no comment" to police questions.

Burlton, of Whitmore Close, Enfield, pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice. He had five convictions for five previous offences.

Ross Johnson, defending, said Burlton was working as a gardener and feared he would lose his job when he lied. He said he had kept his job and was now a driver's mate.

He asked for credit for Burlton's early guilty plea saying that he had expressed remorse to probation officers. He said Burlton, who was supported in court by his mother, will be a father in two months' time.

Judge John Plumstead told Burlton he had "driven like an idiot and tried to lie his way out of it".

He told him he was "lucky" not to go straight to prison and passed a four-month sentence suspended for 18 months. Burlton was banned from driving for 12 months and must pay £1,200 prosecution costs. "

In addition he must abide by a 7pm to 3am curfew on Friday and Saturday nights for the next six months.