circumvent getting a traffic ticket.

The man was sent to Westgate Correctional Facility for giving the name of his brother when he was stopped for a traffic violation.

Ishmael Greg Makaya Lightbourne, 20, of Green Acres, Devonshire, was charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice after he was stopped on March 31 at Glebe Road, Pembroke, and gave Police his brother's name.

No one turned up for the resulting court date on April 17 and an arrest warrant was issued.

Police then stopped Lightbourne for riding a bike without a licence plate on April 23.

Lightbourne again gave the name of his brother, Thomas Bernard Smith.

When officers checked, they discovered a warrant for Smith's arrest, and so Lightbourne -- who officers thought was Smith -- was arrested and taken to Hamilton Police Station.

It then emerged that Lightbourne was the man in custody and he was charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Lightbourne told Acting Senior Magistrate Edward King: "I'm sorry your honour.

"I have been an embarrassment to my family and this will never happen again.'' Mr. King replied: "Too much of this goes on, the law needs to be changed so that drivers have their licenses with them.

"It is an offence of momentous proportions in terms of traffic offences.

"Those who give Police false information will be dealt with harshly.'' Mr. King then sentenced Lightbourne to three months in prison, "with immediate effect''.