A former footballer and his brother who tried to trick police over which of them had been involved in a hit-and-run crash have escaped jail.

Glenn Davies, 27, who used to play for Worthing Football Club, was given a 200-hour community punishment order after pleading guilty to perverting the course of justice, failing to stop after an accident and failing to report an accident.

He also received nine penalty points on his provisional driving licence for driving without insurance and without due care and attention.

John Davies, 32, received an 18-month community rehabilitation order for perverting the course of justice.

Lewes Crown Court heard yesterday how Glenn Davies, of Stanford Road, Brighton, was driving his Volvo car with a female friend at night on October 18 last year when he smashed into a Ford Escort driven by bank worker James Welch.

Mr Welch's mother Vivienne was in the passenger seat and suffered slight whiplash injuries and cuts.

Gavin Argent, prosecuting, said Glenn Davies helped his female companion to the side of the road before running away.

A search of his car revealed a building society pass book with his name and phone number as well as a Worthing FC programme with his photograph on the front, from which Mr Welch identified Glenn as the driver.

But when officers rang the phone number it was answered by John Davies, who claimed he had been driving the car.

Although Glenn Davies eventually owned up to the accident, he initially insisted he had not caused the crash.

Mr Argent said: "When Glenn was interviewed he admitted driving the car and tried to maintain it was the others driver's fault.

"He said he made sure the girl he was with was all right but then panicked and ran off."

The smash was witnessed by two police officers who saw Mr Welch's car approach the junction between Lower Rock Gardens and Edward Street in the centre of Brighton.

Mr Argent told the court: "Mr Welch stopped when he saw Glenn Davies' car approach at about 30 to 40mph but the Volvo kept on coming and hit his Ford Escort. There was no attempt to avoid the car."

Jonathan Edwards, defending, said John Davies had made a drunken "snap decision" to lie based on a "misguided loyalty" to his younger brother.

Unemployed John Davies, of Camber Close, Whitehawk, Brighton, continued lying to police and only admitted he had not been involved in the crash after a second interview when officers challenged his knowledge of the damage to the Volvo.

Sarah Thorne, for Glenn Davies, said her client was "extremely sorry" for his actions.

She said: "He acted in an impulsive, stupid and naive manner by running away from the scene and set in motion a series of events which was very difficult to stop."

Mrs Justice Rafferty described John Davies as a "thunderous nuisance" and said: "Misguided loyalty is not loyalty at all, it is simply misguided."

The judge added: "You, Glenn Davies, have suffered greatly because you have lost your good character.

"I would like you to go away from here and reflect on what you did and how very lucky you are that the injuries suffered by Mrs Welch were not more serious."

Glenn Davies was ordered to pay Mr Welch £500 compensation.