Minicab driver Maniique Miah thought he could escape fines for speeding by lying and blaming other drivers, including his wife.

Instead the 42-year-old is now starting a 60-day jail sentence after his deceit was exposed.

Yesterday, police said motorists giving false names to avoid fines and penalty points on their licence was a "massive and growing problem", with about 50 cases pending across Thames Valley.

Miah, of Howard Street, Oxford, admitted five charges of knowingly or wilfully making a false statement over four speeding offences and another running a red light.

All the offences occurred when Miah, who has a private hire licence issued by Oxford City Council, was carrying passengers in Oxford and Didcot, Banbury magistrates were told yesterday.

The court heard Miah wrote to police claiming that other people were driving the cab between November 22, 2004 and January 3 this year.

For the first speeding offence, Miah nominated his wife as the driver and she was ordered to pay a fixed penalty fine.

For the other four offences, Miah nominated people who did not exist and gave addresses for them in London, Luton, Birmingham, and Witney.

The Witney address turned out to be the masonic hall.

Dan Eddershaw, defending, said: "The speeding incidents and the traffic light offence happened because his passengers were urging him to hurry.

"He was afraid of losing his driving licence and not being able to support his family. His actions were a desire to avoid the loss of his livelihood."

Miah was also disqualified from driving for a year.

Pc Pat Knight said drivers giving false names in speeding cases was 'a massive and growing problem'.

He said: "The police are actively and robustly taking action, and I would ask drivers to weigh up the consequences.

"What do they want - a fine or a prison sentence?"