A MOTHER offered a £1,000 bribe on Facebook to anyone willing “to take the rap” to protect her son after he was suspected of drug-driving.

Tracey Latham, 56, of York Place, Barry, took to social media in a ham-fisted attempt to get someone to commit perjury on behalf of Che Siirak.

Prosecutor David Pinnell said: “Effectively, she asked on Facebook: ‘Is there anybody out there willing to take the rap on my behalf?’”

Judge Jeremy Jenkins told Latham: “You have been watching far too much television.”

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Cardiff Crown Court heard how her son Che Siirak was suspected of drug-driving after a high-speed police chase through the city’s St Mellons and Trowbridge areas.

Officers were pursuing a Ford Fiesta in the early hours of December 29, 2018 that was registered in Latham’s name and found the vehicle abandoned in Rumney.

Mr Pinnell said: “The defendant’s son was arrested a short distance away and he was intoxicated.

“A search of the car uncovered cash and class A drugs.

“Mr Siirak told police he had an argument with his girlfriend in Llanrumney and that she had stormed out and taken the vehicle. He denied being the driver.”

The prosecutor said that in January 2019, Latham was sent a letter as the registered keeper of the Fiesta asking her to provide details of who the driver was at the time.

She replied that a man called Colin Chapman had been at the wheel and she provided a mobile phone number.

Police investigated the matter and it led to his arrest and of a woman named Leanne Board who had been in contact with Latham.

Mr Pinnell said: “It emerged that there had been a deliberate and persistent attempt to get Miss Board to arrange for somebody to take responsibility and was being offered £1,000.

“There was an offer for £500 before going to court and £500 after the perjury had been committed.”

He told the court that no action was taken against Miss Board and Mr Chapman was exonerated.

Latham admitted perverting the course of justice.

The court heard how she had 15 previous convictions for 25 offences, including drug, dishonesty and driving matters.

Adam Sharp, mitigating, said: “The defendant pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.”

Judge Jenkins said police were involved in a chase in which her Fiesta had travelled at 80mph in a 30mph zone and that Mr Siirak “was under the influence of cocaine and cannabis” after he was arrested in Wentloog Road.

He told Latham: “Your husband is in very poor health and you are his full-time carer.

“If it wasn’t for him, you would be going straight into custody today.”

Latham was jailed for eight months, suspended for 18 months, and she must complete 100 hours of unpaid work.

She was also ordered to pay £350 costs and a £140 surcharge.