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A woman who claimed she was fleeing a violent ex-partner when she was arrested for drink-driving was caught out – because he was in prison at the time.

When Kelly Rodgers appeared before magistrates she said she should not be banned from driving because she was running away from her ex.

But court officials discovered her former boyfriend was locked up in jail on the day the 35-year-old was stopped by officers in Rhyl, north Wales, in October last year.

At Caernarfon Crown Court, Rodgers, of Ridgway Road, Hanley, admitted a charge of perjury and was jailed for eight months.

She wept as she was led away to the cells and called out ‘I love you’ to her current partner.

Jonathan Austin, prosecuting, said Rodgers was found to be twice the drink-drive limit when stopped by officers and she later appeared before magistrates in Llandudno.

Mr Austin added: “She claimed special reasons why the magistrates should not impose a driving ban and said she was fleeing a domestic violence situation at the time.

“She was challenged about her claims and why she did not call the police instead of driving away.

“The prosecutor also challenged Rodgers about whether her partner was at liberty on that day.”

Checks were made but a conclusive answer was not forthcoming.

Mr Austin added: “Before granting her a favourable decision the magistrates reminded the defendant she was still on oath and asked her again whether her claims were true.

“She was told if the claims were not true it would be perjury and she indicated she understood.”

But following the hearing court officials were able to confirm with the prison service that her partner was in jail on that day.

Judge Huw Rees, sentencing, said perjury was a serious offence and carries a maximum sentence of seven years in prison.

“It is serious because it strikes at the heart of the justice system,” he said.

The judge said her claims had affected the outcome of the case and she had avoided a driving ban of at least 12 months.

“This is too serious to avoid an immediate custodial sentence,” he added.

Michael Whitty, defending, said the offence had led Rodgers to ‘a fork in the road’ and she had made efforts to put her past behind her.