An Essex car owner who “flouted the law” and “lied to cover it up” has been fined more than £1,800 and given six points on his licence.

Adrian Gillies, 57, failed to identify who was driving his black Audi Quattro when it was caught doing 86mph in a 50mph section of motorway. Gillies, of Recency Green Colchester, was sent a letter asking him identify the driver as it broke the limit on the M25 near Cranham on February 13, 2017.

Following repeated failures to identify the driver, officers went to his address and delivered a final letter - but again he did not respond.

At Colchester Magistrates’ Court on December 18, 2017 he claimed he had not received the letters but proof of posting by Royal Mail was given to the court. Notices were also delivered by hand.

At the same court on May 4, he was fined £1,840 and given six points on his licence for failing to provide information relating to the identification of a driver.

During the investigation it had also been identified that the car was not insured and Gillies was already disqualified from driving.

Pc Dan Cordwell, from Essex Police’s Casualty Reduction Unit, said: “Speeding is dangerous and risks the safety of all road users.

“Adrian Gillies flouted the law, tried to get away with it, and then lied to try to cover it up.

“If you ignore these letters and notices we won’t give up and we will come to your house.”