A man from Blackwood has been handed an 18-month prison sentence after repeatedly misleading police and wrongly blaming innocent people for a series of speeding offences. Nathan Lee, aged 47, attempted to escape responsibility by nominating others as the drivers of his vehicle during five separate incidents spanning four years.
The case, which recently concluded at Newport Crown Court, shone a light on the lengths some individuals will go to in order to evade justice. The court heard how Lee falsely identified his former partner and a family friend, who resides overseas, as the culprits behind the speeding violations committed in his car between 2018 and 2022. However, these attempts to misdirect blame were ultimately unravelled by a meticulous police investigation.
According to evidence presented in the hearing, correspondence sent to one nominated individual—Lee’s ex-girlfriend—caused significant confusion, as she had not been living at the address provided by Lee and vehemently denied any involvement when eventually located by authorities. In another twist, a long-standing friend named by Lee as a potential driver was found to be living in Australia at the time of the alleged speeding offences, making his involvement impossible.
Sensing inconsistencies in Lee’s statements, officers decided to employ advanced investigative methods, specifically cell site analysis. This technique, which enables law enforcement to track the movements of individuals via mobile phone data, placed Lee’s device near the scene of the speeding incident on 22 April, 2022. This crucial piece of evidence directly contradicted Lee’s denials and confirmed he was physically present with the vehicle on at least one key occasion.
Despite being confronted with the findings, Lee initially persisted in his denials when questioned by police in May 2023. Only later did he admit to the offences, ultimately pleading guilty to perverting the course of justice. The court was told that Lee, of Salway Avenue, Blackwood, did not have any previous criminal convictions.
During mitigation, Lee’s barrister, Matthew Comer, described his client as a qualified electrical and chemical engineer with no history of addiction issues. The barrister also highlighted Lee’s caring commitments, stating that he supports his partner and provides assistance to his father, who is suffering from both vascular dementia and cancer.
Presiding over the case, Judge Carl Harrison emphasised the gravity of the offence, stating that attempts to undermine the criminal justice process strike at the core of the legal system. The judge maintained that cases of perverting the course of justice frequently attract custodial sentences because of the potential harm to public trust.
In addition to the 18-month custodial term, Lee was disqualified from driving for a period of 12 months following his release. The sentence reinforces the stance of the courts against attempts to obstruct or manipulate legal proceedings, especially through the false incrimination of innocent individuals.
This case is a reminder of the sophisticated tools now available to law enforcement when investigating disputed motoring offences. The use of mobile phone evidence proved decisive in exposing the truth and holding the perpetrator accountable.
The verdict serves as a cautionary tale for those tempted to shield themselves from prosecution at the expense of others. The judiciary has made it clear that such actions will not be tolerated, and the consequences can be severe for those who seek to mislead or impede the course of justice.