TWO men from Bury have been sentenced for perverting the course of justice after switching seats in a car in an attempt to fool police.

Mohammed Bari, of Topping Street, and Urfan Afzal, of Walmersley Road, both admitted perverting the course of justice.

Afzal also admitted driving with excess alcohol after they were arrested on November 15 at 2.05am.

Bolton Crown Court heard last Thursday that when police spoke to the defendants in the car park of McDonald’s in Bury, the officer could smell alcohol on Afzal’s breath but he claimed never to have been the driver of the Volkswagen Golf.

Police spoke to staff at the restaurant who claimed Afzal was the driver at window two and Bari at window three of the drive-through.

Steven Wild, prosecuting, said Bari had 34mg in 100ml of breath, the limit is 35mg.

A blood sample was taken from Afzal who was found to have 114mg per 100ml of blood, the legal limit is 80mg.

David Farley, defending Afzal, aged 27, said he felt he had let people down with his offending. Guy Mathieson, defending Bari, aged 29, said he owned a shop in Bury specialising in computer repair back-up.

Recorder Simon Medland QC said: “Afzal, you didn’t want to be arrested because you have an appalling record. You decided to swap positions. Bari, you were just under the limit.”

Afzal was banned from driving for three years, was sentenced to a three-month curfew to remain at home between 9pm and 6am and to complete 80 hours of unpaid work. Bari was given a two-month curfew.