A MAN who faked his own death to avoid a driving ban will be allowed back behind the wheel on his release from prison, a court has ruled.

Shafkat Munir, 26, pretended to be dead after being caught speeding on three occasions between January and February 2007.

In January this year, he was sentenced to 12 months in prison after admitting three counts of perverting the course of justice at Preston Crown Court.

Munir, from Blackburn, was also given an 18-month driving ban.

The Court of Appeal, sitting in Newcastle, ruled that the disqualification was "excessive" and reduced it to end when Munir's jail term ends.

Michael Gleeson, representing Munir, told the court his client had initially admitted he was the driver when he received notices of the three speeding offences.

However, Munir then pretended he was dead and false documents were sent to police.

"A death certificate in Urdu was sent by a third party saying Mr Munir had been dead for four years," he said.

Mr Gleeson said police had become suspicious and located Munir, who later admitted he had obtained the death certificate from Pakistan.

Mr Justice Wilkie presided over the case with Lord Phillips, the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales and Mr Justice Openshaw.

Referring to the original judgment, he said: "In our judgment, the part of 18 months was excessive. We will reduce the part of disqualification to 12 months."