A 68-year-old widower has been spared jail time after he forged his deceased wife’s signature to avoid a speeding ticket on the M20 motorway.
Philip Clarkson, a beekeeping pensioner from Brockley in London, attempted to blame his late wife Tracey for driving above the speed limit in April last year.
Woolwich Crown Court heard that Tracey Luxford Clarkson, who passed away in 2021 at the age of 55, was still registered as the keeper of the Vauxhall Corsa involved in the incident.
When authorities sent a driver information request to their former matrimonial home on Harefield Road, Clarkson falsified his late wife’s signature on the documentation.
Philip Clarkson forged his dead wife’s signature to get out of a speeding ticket
The Vauxhall Corsa was captured by a speed camera travelling at 64mph in a 50mph zone on the M20 on April 12, 2023.
Upon receiving the RTA Form 172 requesting driver information, Clarkson filled out the form stating his late wife was behind the wheel.
As a result of his deception, penalty points were added to his deceased wife’s driving licence, which was still active in the system.
Prosecutor Arizuna Asante told the court: “The form, which requires a signed declaration, was signed as Tracey Luxford.”
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Clarkson’s deception came to light when a subsequent police letter arrived at his address
“It was not possible for her to sign that form because she had sadly passed away on September 27, 2021,” the prosecutor added.
Clarkson’s deception came to light when a subsequent police letter arrived at his address, prompting an unnamed member of his household to report him to authorities.
When questioned by police officers about the incident, Clarkson responded “no comment” to all questions put to him.
The court heard that Clarkson’s sole income comes from his pension, and he has lived in the same rent-controlled property for 45 years.
Judge Lees noted the serious nature of such offences, telling Clarkson: “This is a very serious offence and in many cases leads to a lot of police time that is completely wasted and there has been an investigation here to get to the bottom of it.”
The Vauxhall Corsa (not pictured) was captured by a speed camera travelling at 64mph in a 50mph zone on the M2
Wikimedia Commons
Despite sentencing guidelines suggesting six months immediate imprisonment, Judge Andrew Lees opted for a more lenient punishment.
Clarkson pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice between April 11 and May 18, 2023.
He was sentenced to a four-week home curfew between 9pm and 6am, and ordered to pay £250 in costs.
“No doubt you have been kicking yourself since you did this and I am sure you will not do anything like this again,” Judge Lees told the defendant.
“No, never again,” replied Clarkson, who appeared visibly relieved.
The judge acknowledged that while such offences are “always considered very serious by the courts,” this case was “at the bottom” of the scale.
