A MAN made up a story claiming a motorist deliberately drove at his daughter, throwing her over the bonnet of his car.

But the allegation, backed by his daughter, was said to have been reported to merely land the other man in trouble with police.

Durham Crown Court heard that investigators soon had doubts about the truth of the alleged hit and run, reported by Darren Fenwick and supported by daughter Sherreka Jayne Campbell.

Emma Atkinson, prosecuting, said both gave signed statements to police at 10.30am on August 13, only half-an-hour after the “incident” was reported.

When police arrived in Melrose Drive, St Helen Auckland, Campbell had blood dripping from her arm.

Both she and her father gave an account of a road rage-type incident, which began with the named man at the wheel of a grey Volkswagen Golf pursuing the car driven by Campbell, with her father as passenger, from a Bishop Auckland filling station earlier that morning.

Miss Atkinson told the court that cctv from various locations in the area was checked and it was soon realised their accounts were false.

She said Fenwick was banned from driving and came up with the story to avoid being prosecuted for being at the wheel that morning, backed by his supportive daughter.

But he has now been dealt with for driving while disqualified.

Asked by Judge Jonathan Carroll what was the background to the case, Miss Atkinson could not provide an answer.

But she confirmed that despite the false report taking up a total of two to three days police time, in all, the man said to have been responsible was never arrested.

Fenwick, 44, of Eggleston Walk, St Helen Auckland, and his daughter, 28, of Melrose Drive, admitted conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

The court heard Fenwick has 19 convictions for 35 offences, while Campbell is of previous good character.

David Lamb, for Fenwick, said they “stupidly” came up with the account to prevent him being prosecuted for driving while disqualified, but, “fortunately” it never led to the arrest of the innocent third party they named to police.

Dan Cordey, for Campbell, said she acted out of “misplaced loyalty” to help her father.

Judge Jonathan Carroll said Fenwick was, “the author of his own misfortune” backed by his loyal daughter.

He imposed six-month prison sentences, suspended for 18 months, on both.

They must each undergo 20 rehabilitation activity days and observe three-month electronically-monitored 8pm to 8am home curfews.

The judge added if the innocent man been arrested both would have served immediate prison sentences.