A DRIVER who perverted the course of justice by falsely reporting a car as stolen after crashing into a lamppost has avoided an immediate prison sentence.

Vishanu Bhaskaran, 42, admitted lying to police after the crash in Colchester in August last year.

The court heard Bhaskaran had been leased an Audi A3 while the van he used for work was being repaired.

After he crashed the car into a lamppost, he reported the vehicle stolen.

The court heard the Audi’s owner was left £1,200 out of pocket as he was unable to claim on his insurance for the crash.

Appearing at Ipswich Crown Court earlier this month, he admitted one charge of perverting the course of justice.

Bhaskaran’s barrister Sasha Bailey said her client was already subject to a community order put in place in March.

Ms Bailey said Bhaskaran had made “significant improvements” since committing the offence last year.

She added after a long period of time “sofa surfing”, Bhaskaran had finally been given council accommodation.

She said: “I accept a matter like this crosses the custody threshold.”

Appearing at the same court, Bhaskaran, of Mill Road, Colchester, was sentenced to six weeks imprisonment but the sentence was suspended for 18 months.

The court heard Bhaskaran has six previous convictions for 17 offences including matters of dangerous driving and drink driving, for which he was given a community order with unpaid work and a 28 month disqualification from driving on March 23.

The court heard a pre-sentence report identified the fact Bhaskaran had begun to address his problems.

He was ordered to carry out 60 hours of unpaid work and complete a 30-day rehabilitation activity requirement.