A PREGNANT Southampton woman lied to police by telling them her car had been stolen after it had been involved in a crash.

Barmaid Chantelle Trevatt was a passenger in her Ford Fiesta when it was involved in a collision in Southampton.

The car, being driven by Trevatt’s partner’s friend, was driven away from the scene before insurance details were exchange.

The 20-year-old then filed a report with police to say the vehicle had been stolen.

But Trevatt, who is about to give birth to her second child, was caught out by police who checked CCTV near to where her vehicle was “found”.

The CCTV showed Trevatt, her partner and the driver all leaving the vehicle.

Now Trevatt has been spared a prison sentence by a judge, who described her actions as “very foolish”.

Southampton Crown Court heard how Trevatt was a passenger in her Ford Fiesta at the Six Dials junction in Southampton on April 19 when it was involved in a crash.

Prosecutor Matthew Lawson said the vehicle was driven from the scene before insurance details were exchange.

He said the vehicle was then parked in Lyon Street, a short distance from the crash site.

Mr Lawson told the court that Trevatt phoned police around 20 minutes after the crash and reported her vehicle as stolen.

He said the crown accepted Trevatt was “under pressure” to make the call.

When police investigated the report they checked CCTV near to where the vehicle was located.

Mr Lawson said: “Having investigated CCTV on Lyon Street they saw the car stop and three persons and the defendant get out of the vehicle.

“Trevatt was spoken to by police and in interview gave no comment.”

Mitigating for Trevatt, who works at the Ice House Pub in Shirley Warren, Khalid Missouri said his client, who had no previous convictions, was “very remorseful”.

Trevatt, who pleaded guilty to one count of attempting to pervert the course of justice, was sentenced to a six-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months.

In sentencing, Recorder Barry McElduff said: “You have behaved very foolishly indeed.

“You did so under some pressure but that’s no excuse.

“When police investigated the CCTV it showed your claims were a lie.

“You didn’t seek to blame anyone else and your deception was uncovered quickly and the underlying offence was not a serious one.

“For these reasons I am prepared to suspend your sentence.”

Trevatt, of Studland Road, Southampton, will have to complete 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 80 hours unpaid work.