A SOUTHAMPTON man lied minutes after crashing his car into a garden.

Daniel Hamer scrambled from the wreckage of his car and told neighbours that he would throw away the ignition keys and claim the vehicle was stolen.

He carried through with the deceit but was quickly found out when police investigated the crash, a court heard.

His blood and DNA was found on the air bag which had deployed. The car was written off.

Hamer, 32, of Laurel Close, Woolston, admitted perverting the course of justice and dangerous driving on November 23 last year, smashing into a garden fence, shed and garage belonging to Kathleen Smith, causing damage estimated at £6,410.

Winchester Crown Court heard that Hamer lost control of his car on a bend on the junction of Field Way and Deadbrook Lane, North Town, Aldershot.

Dawn Hyland, prosecuting, said Ms Smith had since seen her insurance premium more than quadruple from around £300 a year to £1,300.

Mitigating, Nicholas Whitethorn said the crime was "clumsy and unsophisticated."

It occurred close to Hamer's home but he has since moved to Southampton with a new partner, the court was told.

The Recorder of Winchester, Judge Keith Cutler, jailed Hamer for 18 months but suspended the sentence for 18 months, with the requirement for 15 days rehabilitation activity and to take part in a thinking skills programme.

Hamer was banned from driving for 12 months and will have to take an extended test to get his licence back.

The judge also ordered that Hamer, who works in technical recycling, should pay £1,1,40 in compensation to Ms Smith at the rate of £120 a month.

He said Hamer should pay toward the loss of her no claims although it would not make up for the full loss.