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An uninsured driver has been jailed after trying to avoid punishment by claiming he was a ‘Freeman-of-the-Land’ - and therefore not bound by UK laws.

The 29-year-old was pulled over by traffic cops in Birmingham Road, Smethwick, in May after being spotted behind the wheel of a Vauxhall Astra that police systems showed was insured to a woman.

When asked to confirm his details, the man claimed he was part of a ‘Freeman-of-the-Land movement’ that prohibited him from talking to officers and that doing so would mean “entering into a contract he could not afford to fulfil”.

The driver appeared to be under the impression that, by announcing himself as a Freeman-of-the-Land, he was above the law as he hadn’t entered into a ‘contract’ with the police or government - and was effectively free to do as he liked.

Having been hit with an additional charge of obstructing police, he then refused to co-operate with Sandwell Magistrates on October 1.

The man – who denied driving without insurance and obstructing police at an earlier hearing – was sentenced to 14 days in jail for contempt of court in his absence having been removed by security staff.

The driver, from Tividale, was also ordered to pay £330 in fines and costs and had six points added to his licence.

A spokesperson for West Midlands Police said: “The whole process meant that a simple matter of driving without insurance took up hours of police time – and ultimately a stint behind bars after being convicted of contempt of court while defending himself.

“We hope this case acts as a warning that to obstruct the police and the courts is not a wise move.”