A man who gave police false details about his identity has been handed a suspended sentence.

Christopher David Russell (55), from Clones Road, Newtownbutler, was stopped by police driving a Volkswagen Beetle in Newtownbulter on January 26.

Police observed there was no front number plate on the car and followed it to an address in Galloon Gardens.

They spoke to the defendant, who gave them the name 'William Robert Faulkner' and a date of birth, but he was unable to produce the relevant documents for the car, and elected to do so at Lisnaskea Police Station.

Believing the details given to them were incorrect, police made further enquiries, and when they called again to speak with the defendant, he gave the name 'Richard Neil Green' but he had no other identification apart from bank cards, a birth certificate and various login details for Facebook and email.

He was arrested and taken to Omagh Police Station, where his fingerprint revealed his true identity, and the identity documents he had in his possession were seized.

During interview he made full admission to all offences and said he had given the fake name as he did not have the documents, and that 'William Faulkner' was on insurance policy.

He admitted all the documents were in the car when he moved to Ireland, that he was wanted in England, and had wanted to avoid detection.

Russell's solicitor, Myles McManus, said his client made full admissions and co-operated fully, albeit he attempted to lead police on a "merry dance" initially.

He said the identity documents belonged to Mr. Greene, who was a good friend of Russell, and he took no steps to return them, instead passing himself off as the man to evade the authorities.

Russell was convicted of having no driving licence, no insurance, obstructing police, failing to produce a driving licence, fraud by false representation, theft, handling stolen goods and being in possession of ID documents that related to another.

He was handed a four-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, as well as being banned from driving for six months and fined £100.