Ipswich man lied to police over Colchester taxi driver crashhttps://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/news/2434 ... ver-crash/An Ipswich man who lied to police to help a friend following a collision between a taxi and a motorcyclist in Colchester has been given a suspended prison sentence.
Fifty-eight-year-old taxi driver Samuel Obeng had panicked after the collision in Cowdray Avenue in the north Essex city in October 2022, Ipswich Crown Court was told.
After stopping his taxi nearby, Obeng had contacted his friend Lawrence Obese and got him to lie to police about being the driver.
Obese had arrived at the scene of the accident 20 minutes later, claimed to officers to be Samuel Obeng and produced a driving licence and taxi driver ID in Obeng’s name.
Obese provided a breath sample, which was negative for drink and drugs, and had run off shortly afterwards when police realised he was not actually Obeng.
The court heard that the accident in which the motorcyclist was injured had been the motorcyclist’s fault.
Obeng, of Blackthorn Avenue, Colchester, and Obese, 47, of Grimwade Street, Ipswich, admitted attempting to pervert the course of justice.
Obeng, who also admitted failing to stop after an accident and failing to report an accident, was given a 12-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months, a 20-day rehabilitation activity requirement and was ordered to do 150 hours of unpaid work.
Obese was given a 33-week prison sentence suspended for 18 months, a 20-day rehabilitation activity requirement and ordered to do 100 hours of unpaid work.
The court heard that Obeng was a licenced taxi driver and had panicked following the collision because he was worried the incident would be reported to the local council.
He feared he would lose his licence.
The court was told Obese had made a “terrible judgement call” by lying to police to help his friend and was “ashamed and embarrassed” by his actions.
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