A motorist from Ealing known as Mr X who spent five years trying to dodge a £60 speeding fine has been jailed for perjury and perverting the course of justice.

The driver, who is named Ashley X after changing his surname by deed poll, was caught on camera driving his Honda sports car at 67mph on a 50mph section of the M11 in Essex in 2009.

He initially ignored Essex Police's attempts to confirm who was driving the car before making up a series of stories to shift the blame, Essex Police said.

PC Roy Keyes, from the force's casualty reduction team, said: "Ashley X was determined to avoid paying the £60 fine and having three penalty points on his licence.

"But for five years he tried to deny the offence and committed two serious offences which ultimately led to him being sent to prison."

X tried to fight the speeding charge in six different courts, concocting various stories including that his cousin was driving, faking a letter from that cousin purportedly confirming this and claiming this cousin had already paid the fine.

After being found guilty of failing to provide a driver's details he challenged the verdict at Chelmsford Crown Court and the Court of Appeal but both claims were rejected.

When police looked more closely at the case, they found the "cousin" who X claimed had been driving, and discovered he was in fact a friend, who never owned the car and denied writing any letter admitting that he had been the driver.

X, of Clyfford Road, Ealing, finally admitted perjury and perverting the course of justice at Ipswich Crown Court on Thursday.

Judge Martyn Levett sentenced X to nine months in prison. He was also ordered to pay costs of £1,200.

Essex Police praised the Crown Prosecution Service for its perseverance in bringing the case against the 35-year-old.