A woman gave police a false name on three occasions to try to cover up the fact she was a banned driver.

Karen Firkins-Reed, 39, had been banned under the totting-up scheme in August 1997, but a court heard she was stopped by police three times between October 1997 and January last year.

Chelmsford Crown Court was told how the offences took place when Firkins-Reed, from Riley Avenue, Jaywick, was stopped in her Ford Fiesta.

Each time she was stopped, she gave a false name to police.

Firkins-Reed admitted four charges of attempting to pervert the course of justice and three of driving while banned when she appeared in court.

Judge Jonathan Howarth jailed her for nine months and she was also banned from driving for three years.

David Write, mitigating, said Firkins-Reed knew she would be caught eventually.

Although she used a false name, she gave her correct address, he said.

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