A building worker desperate to avoid losing his job claimed a man, who unbeknown to him was dead, was at the wheel of his van when he was again caught speeding.

Enzo Dadamo gave the name of David Jackson in a desperate bid to avoid disqualification under the magistrates court “totting up” provisions, Bradford Crown Court heard yesterday.

Dadamo, of Hainsworth Moor Grove, Queensbury, had carried out work for Mr Jackson and had no idea that he had since died.

He lied that he had sub-contracted out the van to him when he was caught speeding in January.

Prosecutor Jonathan Sharp told the court that Mr Jackson died in 2009 so it was hardly surprising there was no response from him when he was summonsed.

The police asked Dadamo for more details about Mr Jackson’s whereabouts and he continued to lie, saying he had moved to France and supplying them with a bogus phone number.

When again challenged by the police, Dadamo admitted the deception, saying he was “maxed out on points”.

Dadamo pleaded guilty to perverting the course of public justice.

Judge John Potter sentenced Dadamo to a two year community order with 150 hours of unpaid work, banned from driving for six months and ordered to pay £300 costs.