A motorist has been jailed after he tried to avoid prosecution by painting his green BMW red - but failed to remove distinctive stickers from the back window, writes Tom Seaward.

James Uyterhoeven-Pursey, 27, of Swindon, led police on a short chase after speeding away from an undercover car at a roundabout.

Officers tried to catch him but called off the pursuit when it became clear other road users could be put in danger.

They managed to grab Uyterhoeven-Pursey's number plate during the chase which was used to send a notice of prosecution.

The driver replied to the letter in his own handwriting, initially admitting to being behind the wheel.

But when he came to be interviewed by police he changed his mind, denying he was involved.

Officers then trawled social media and discovered pictures of the green BMW - with some of the snaps showing the car with a different number plate.

Checks revealed theses belonged to a silver BMW also owned by Uyterhoeven-Pursey, it was said.

Police eventually found the car involved in the chase in February 2019 - and saw that it had been resprayed matte red, although distinctive stickers remained.

Uyterhoeven-Pursey pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and perverting the course of justice at the town's crown court yesterday (August 6).

Emma Handslip, defending, said her client had been worried as he did not have a MOT for the BMW and had just secured a new job that required him to drive.

She added that did not want to lose that job and he did not understand how serious his actions were.

She said: "It is pure stupidity and he's been caught out and he's going to face very serious consequences."

Uyterhoeven-Pursey was jailed for nine months, banned from the roads for two years and four months and ordered to pay a £140 victim surcharge.

The car was forfeit.