A TEENAGER'S moment of panic when he was stopped by police cost him £525 in fines and costs at Worcester Crown Court.

Anthony Bird was also ordered to do 80 hours community service after admitting attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Bird, aged 18, of Prior Street, Hereford, gave a friend's name when he was questioned by police in the city at 2am on Monday, September 3 last year at the wheel of a Ford Fiesta.

Prosecutor William Rickarby said police later discovered the named friend was at work at the time and could not have been the driver.

When Bird was arrested six months later, he admitted he had panicked and acted stupidly.

Bird, who also admitted driving without a licence and insurance, had acted spontaneously and stupidly when confronted by police, said his barrister, Benjamin Mills.

Since the incident, his mother had been admitted to hospital with depression and Bird, who works for a fencing company, was left to care for his

13-year-old brother.

"It was an expensive night out. Don't repeat it," said Recorder Gareth Evans QC, before fining him £350 with £175 costs.