An Uber driver tried to avoid a speeding offence by falsely claiming it was a family member driving his car. Iona Covaci was caught doing 35mph in a 30mph zone while on shift in Cardiff last year.

A Newport Court Court hearing on Friday, September 1 hear Covaci, 26, owned a black BMW which he registered in his own name back in March 2022. Prosecutor Bryan Broadstock told the court the car was caught speeding on April 9 that year in Cardiff and the following week Covaci was sent a notice of intended prosecution.

A few days later, the vehicle was re-registered in the name of Covaci's uncle, who by that point no longer lived in the UK and had returned to their native Romania. Covaci's uncle was then nominated as the driver of the vehicle at the time of the offence and was offered an educational course.

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However, in May 2022, Covaci, who had been filling out forms purporting to be his uncle, rejected the offer of a course and opted to accept the speeding fine instead. The following month further investigations found Covaci's uncle only had a provisional licence and that the car had again be re-registered back in the defendant's name.

Covaci, of Ruperra Street in Newport, was called in by Newport City Council, who are responsible for taxi licensing in the area, in September 2022 and told them his uncle had been test driving the car at the time the offence took place as he was interested in buying it off Covaci. However, when asked how this was possible as Uber records from that date showed Covaci had been on shift, the defendant conceded that it had in fact been him driving the car and that he had been filling out forms purporting to be his uncle, who had no knowledge of what was happening. Covaci later attended the police station and admitted he had been trying to avoid a speeding penalty. He pleaded guilty to one count of perverting the course of justice.

Adam Sharp, defending, said Covaci had pleaded guilty at an early stage and added: "This is a case where there is very genuine remorse." He said his client had no previous convictions and was "ashamed of his actions" in trying to avoid a penalty, adding that he had come to the UK from Romania aged 12 with no English, which he said he now speaks well.

He said Covaci had worked in a number of roles including as a chef for Ask Italian and that references from former managers and family members had attested to his good character. He added that the prospect of a custodial term would have an impact on his client as well as on his wife and two young children.

Recorder Mark Cotter KC said that although there had been an "element of sophistication and planning" on Covaci's part, he said the defendant had made "full and frank admissions" and was a young man of good character who "continued to work hard" since and was the sole provider for his family.

He said he was satisfied that the offence was "an isolated moment of stupidity" and that the defendant had "felt trapped into continuing with the lie" after his initial denial. He said his impression was that Covaci thought accepting the penalty would have had more serious consequences when in fact he may have been given three penalty points or a speed awareness course. He said the defendant was not a threat to the community and handed him a four-month suspended sentence. He must also undertake 100 hours of unpaid work and pay a £500 fine. A victim surcharge and collection order will apply but no order for costs were made.