A driver caught without insurance tried to fool the police by buying a policy then changing the date of his offence.

Damien Heather, 28, was stopped while driving a Vauxhall Tigra on Oldham Street in the city centre on April 22 this year.

As he was unable to immediately provide the necessary documents, he was issued a HORT1 'producer' requiring him to bring them to a police station with seven days.

The GMP Twitter account told how Heather, of Brook Road, Stockport, turned up with an insurance policy dated 23 April and altered the date of the offence on his HORT 1 form to 24 April.

Officers immediately saw through Heather's poor attempt to pull the wool over their eyes and hit him with a second charge of 'obstructing a constable in the execution of duty'.

He pleaded not guilty, but was convicted at Manchester Magistrates' Court.

Manchester Magistrates' Court

Heather admitted the insurance charge and police say he was ordered to pay fines and costs totalling £530.

He was also given six points on his licence.

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The usual fixed penalty for driving without insurance is £300 and six points.

Last month, GMP's road policing unit announced an operation to tackle uninsured drivers.

Hundreds of letters were sent out to people after their car was seen on the road despite being shown as uninsured on the Motor Insurance Database.

The letter gave drivers the opportunity to sort out any administrative errors, late payments, voided or cancelled policies, or updates for the insurance company with any change in number plate.

If a vehicle is stopped by the police on a road or public place, without a valid policy of insurance, it can be seized under Section 165 of the Road Traffic Act 1988.

The vehicle will not be released until a valid policy of insurance and driving licence has been produced, proof of ownership and a release fee paid (including the recovery fee and storage charges).

After 14 days the vehicle will be disposed of.

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