Man jailed in identity 'mix-up'

A man who spent four days in jail after being accused of a speeding offence in a county he had never visited has said the experience was "a nightmare".

Andrew Carpenter, 49, from Slough, was taken to Lincoln on Monday when a computer showed a warrant for a person of the same name on a traffic offence.

He had been arrested by Thames Valley Police on another charge on Friday.

The judge apologised to him for the mix-up when he appeared in court and an inquiry is being carried out.

'Not good enough'

"It was an unbelievable weekend. I had to spend time away from my daughter for the first time. It was a weekend that was an absolute nightmare for me," Mr Carpenter said.

Solicitor Richard Marshall, who represented him at Lincoln Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, said he was held for an offence committed by a man with the same name.

Mr Carpenter said: "As soon as I gave my name and date of birth (in court) all of a sudden they had the wrong Andrew Carpenter. The judge has apologised to me and said I was free to go. But personally I don't think that is good enough."

Mr Marshall said the case proved the dangers of warrants being handed out by the courts without sufficient information, such as dates of birth.

He said: "The warrant did not have the date of birth and he had never been to Lincoln, or Boston, in his life. It's ridiculous."

Lincolnshire Police said: "It was left for the Thames Valley Police to ensure and confirm that the man they had in custody was the man wanted on the warrant."

The force also confirmed it was twice contacted on Friday by Thames Valley Police trying to confirm whether the man they were holding was wanted on warrant.

Thames Valley Police said it could not comment further on the case as it was under investigation.