Illegal driver faked identity

An ex-soldier caught using his mobile phone behind the wheel pretended to be his brother-in-law in a bid to escape a driving rap, a court has heard.

Paul Gardner told police his name was Alexander Hill and claimed he was driving a Valet Master Scotland van legally.

But cops became suspicious of Gardner's story when he handed his driving documents in to the police station.

Further checks revealed that he was a disqualified driver, Livingston Sheriff Court heard yesterday.

Gardner, 33, of Livingston, West Lothian, pleaded guilty to providing a false driving licence to an insurance company, driving without a licence or insurance, and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

He was fined 400, banned from driving for a year and ordered to do 150 hours of unpaid work in the community.