Woman allowed car boot to be a hideaway

A WOMAN let her boyfriend hide from police in the boot of a car after he had allegedly stolen a taxi.

Vicky Anne Anderson (37), of Clover Crescent, Alt, pleaded guilty yesterday at Oldham Magistrates Court to wilful obstruction of a police officer and possession of cannabis.

The court heard how Anderson’s boyfriend was being sought by police on the evening of August 13 after the taxi had been found dumped.

Officers were given information which led to them stopping a Renault Clio in Furness Avenue, Alt. Anderson was in the passenger seat and her boyfriend was discovered in the boot.

The court heard how he had called Anderson asking to be picked up in a nearby street.

She persuaded a friend to drive them to him and when they arrived, he jumped straight in the boot before she could question him.

The court heard how Anderson thought her boy friend must be in trouble with the police so had planned to take him back to her house when officers stopped the car.

Ian Owen, defending, said that a minimal amount of cannabis was found on Anderson at the time, which she used to alleviate pain caused by health problems.

He said that she was also a woman of good character as she had not been before the courts since 1995.

District Judge James Prowse described the plan as “not particularly sophisticated”.

He said: “She stupidly went along with it.

“It wasn’t the brightest of things to do, it was doomed to failure.

“It was spur of the moment and you’ve been out of trouble for a very long time.”

Anderson was fined £65, with £60 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

She was given a six-month conditional discharge for possessing cannabis.