A YOUNG barber who gave a false statement to police after crashing his car later confessed to an off-duty bobby while doing his hair.

Daniel Evans told the officer that he had been involved in an accident and “had a bevy” and it was clear that he had lied to the police about it.

He suggested he should own up, as did a family friend, who was also a policeman, to whom he told what had happened, but it was only after forensic examination revealed his saliva on the driver’s airbag that he formally confessed.

26-year-old Evans, who pleaded guilty to attempting to pervert the course of justice, was told by Judge Alan Conrad, QC, “What you did was quite incredibly serious.

“You tried to lie your way out of the situation you had created and you persisted in that lie which resulted in an expensive and time-consuming police investigation.

“Offences of this type inevitably cross the custody threshold and I have to have regard to the nature of the offences you were trying to avoid, probably drink driving, almost certainly dangerous driving as well.”

However the judge decided to suspend a ten month jail sentence for two years after hearing he had never been in trouble before and was remorseful. Judge Conrad also imposed a six month curfew with an electronic tag for six months between 9 - 6 am and ordered him to carry out 250 hours unpaid work.

Judge Conrad pointed out that the conviction will probably affect his ability to get car insurance in the future.

Chris Taylor, prosecuting, told Liverpool Crown Court that shortly before 4 am on April 2 he was driving his Vauxhall Corsa in Heswall “probably in drink” when he lost control and crashed into a wall.

The police were alerted by a member of the public and someone who recognised Evans saw him at the scene arguing with other men.

Evans told police at the scene that he had parked in nearby Moor Lane, gone for drinks and when he returned saw men stealing it and ran after it and saw in crash.

An investigation began but Evans repeatedly failed to respond to requests to be interviewed and meanwhile forensic tests revealed his saliva on the deployed driver’s airbag, said Mr Taylor.

In the intervening period he had spoken to the off duty officer while doing his hair and also told the family friend.

Evans, 26, of Wimborne Avenue, Thingwall, pleaded guilty to attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Anna Duke, defending, said that Evans had been “stupid, foolish and selfish and had buried his head in the sand in the six months until finally interviewed when he made full and frank admissions.

“He has a very supportive family and is genuinely remorseful.” She added that she suffers from depression after failing to face up to the consequences of his behaviour.

“The knock-on effects will probably stay with him for the rest of his life and that is the price he has to pay.”