AN UNINSURED driver who overstayed his visit to this country has been handed over to the immigration authorities after he deliberately lied to police.Richard Powell, 29, appeared from custody at South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court after he was caught driving without insurance, a licence or an MoT certificate.

By Amanda Cresswell

AN UNINSURED driver who overstayed his visit to this country has been handed over to the immigration authorities after he deliberately lied to police.

Richard Powell, 29, appeared from custody at South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court after he was caught driving without insurance, a licence or an MoT certificate.

The court heard Powell gave police a false name and date of birth after he was stopped by police in London Road, Ipswich. He continued to lie for another 5 hours until he was interviewed by an immigration officer, said prosecutor Robert Sadd.

"It was a deliberate lie in order to avoid detection," said Mr Sadd. He added Powell was allowed into this country for six months in 2000 but then disappeared.

There was high police presence in the Ipswich courthouse throughout Saturday's short hearing.

Naomi Turner, mitigating, told magistrates Powell – who admitted the offences – would be handed over to the immigration officials straight after he is released from custody.

Powell, of Clapton Road, Hackney, will receive an automatic driving ban after magistrates gave him 6 penalty points for the licence offence and a further 7 penalty points for driving without insurance.

Powell was also sentenced to 24 hours in custody for obstructing a police officer, which he also admitted.

He had earlier been convicted in his absence for driving without insurance and otherwise in accordance to his licence on the A12 at Ipswich in October, the court heard.