A motorcycle rider who claimed his vehicle had been stolen after fleeing a crash has been convicted of perverting the course of justice.

George Argent, 18, admitted the charge of perverting the course of justice as well as driving without insurance, driving without due care and attention, and failing to stop at the scene of a road traffic collision.

Argent, of Tower Road in Lancing, was charged after he and a pillion passenger walked away from the scene of the collision without leaving any details. When police later visited him at his home, he told officers that he was not riding the bike at the time of the crash as it had been stolen.

Despite being given the opportunity to tell the truth, Argent continued to deny he was the rider. Messages were then found on his phone where he had admitted being involved in the crash to several people.

PC Thomas Van Der Wee, from the Sussex Police Roads Policing Unit, said: “Argent went to great lengths to try to avoid being prosecuted for leaving the scene of the collision.

“It meant we had to check his claims, organise an identity parade, and analyse his mobile phones.

“The case demonstrates our determination to catch and prosecute anti-social motorcycle riders.

“It also shows that those who attempt to deceive the police and the courts will be caught and will face prosecution.”

Argent was convicted after he was identified in an identity parade by witnesses who had seen him fleeing the scene of the crash between his Honda CBR 125 bike and a Mercedes in South Farm Road in Worthing.

The officers who visited his home also saw him with an injury he had sustained during the crash at around 11pm on February 9.

Argent admitted the charges at Lewes Crown Court on November 8.

He was handed a 22-week suspended prison sentence for the charges. He will also have to complete 120 hours of unpaid work and 15 rehabilitation activities.

Argent has also been disqualified from driving for one year.