A FORMER taxi boss who lied to police is back in prison for the second time this year.

Shamshad Ahmed, 37, gave false details when stopped for drink driving, kept up the pretence at the police station and was charged under the false name.

His fingerprints were taken and Ahmed was found out when he was later stopped again by the same officer and his prints were matched.

Ahmed, of Guildford Street, Brierfield, was jailed for five months, to be served after the unexpired portion of his previous sentence. Judge Raymond Bennett said Ahmed had only recently come out of prison for a similar offence.

He admitted attempting to pervert the course of justice and driving with excess alcohol.

He was disqualified for 15 months.

Jonathan Dickinson, prosecuting, said Ahmed was stopped in the early hours after mounting the kerb.

He gave false details and was charged under the name of Asif Ali.

He gave his fingerprints and was later stopped by the same officer.

He denied being the same person but, when confronted with the prints, he admitted what he had done.

Mark Stuart, defending, said Ahmed knew what he had done was serious.

He had been to a christening, drank champagne and drove only a short distance, although he knew he should have walked.

He had placed his liberty in jeopardy by his ludicrous behaviour.

He did not want to go back to prison but realised the court may have no alternative.

Mr Stuart said Ahmed had built up a decent taxi business but had had problems with the police.

He was now working as a taxi radio operator.

He added that, although a pre-sentence report claimed he found what he had done highly amusing, he did not.

He knew he ought to go to prison and had been very foolish.

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