A man who gave a fake name when Police stopped him for a traffic matter was caught out when they noticed his neck chain had his real name on it.

Kevin Rebello, 24, pleaded guilty to attempting to pervert the course of justice yesterday, agreeing with Magistrate Khamisi Tokunbo that he had been "pretty dumb".

Crown Counsel Larissa Burgess told the court that Police stopped Rebello on Cavendish Road, Pembroke on November 25, 2007 because his car had an expired vehicle license sticker.

Rebello told the Police his name was Steven Costa, and that he had left his driving licence at home. He signed his Police ticket with that name.

However, said Ms Burgess: "Police noticed that he was wearing a chain with his name, Kevin, on it. They searched him for identification, and found a wallet in his back pocket with his driving licence in the name of Kevin Rebello."

The defendant, of Laffan Street, Pembroke, is Bermudian and employed at the Mid Ocean Club.

He told the court Mr. Costa was "a very good friend" but is no longer so because of his dishonesty. "I'm sorry for what I did. I did something very bad. I know I shouldn't have done it. For that, I lost a friend and for that I know I can get in very big trouble," he said.

Fining him $1,500, Mr. Tokunbo remarked: "It was pretty dumb, especially if you've got evidence on you contradicting yourself — a chain and a wallet with your licence inside. The only thing going in your favour is that as an attempt to pervert justice, it was not successful."