08/03/13
By James O'Brien
Ex-energy secretary Chris Huhne's former wife Vicky Pryce has been convicted of perverting the course of justice, 10 years on from an incident involving the former MP.
The 60-year-old, of Crescent Grove, Clapham, faces jail after a jury of seven men and five women came to a unanimous decision over her guilt at a retrial at Southwark Crown Court.
Huhne last month admitted perverting the course of justice by offloading speeding points to Pryce in 2003. The confession brought a sudden end to his political career. Like his ex-wife, Huhne could receive a custodial sentence.
Pryce has been bailed until sentencing, when Huhne will also be given his punishment. The date has not yet been set.
Judge Mr Justice Sweeney said: "Obviously Ms Pryce was present when I indicated to Mr Huhne the inevitable consequences of a conviction for an offence of this sort.
"She must be under no illusions that my granting of bail indicates any watering down of that provisional approach."
Assistant chief constable Gary Beautridge, from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said the double conviction was down to the solid investigation conducted by the police force.
"Perverting the course of justice is a serious offence. We hope this conviction serves as a timely reminder to motorists who try and avoid driving bans by 'giving' their points to others," he said.
"This practice is not only unlawful, but has life changing consequences for those who get caught flouting the rules."
The retrial was ordered after the jury in Pryce's first trial struggled to agree a verdict, with a lack of understanding blamed.
The incident took place a decade ago when Huhne's black BMW was caught speeding as he returned home from Strasbourg via Stansted Airport.
The former MEP had already collected nine points on his driving licence and was in danger of receiving a ban. He was worried any subsequent punishment would have scuppered his plans of being put forward as the Lib Dem candidate for Eastleigh in Hampshire.
Pryce claimed Huhne forced her to sign a form saying she was driving at the time - claiming a defence of marital coercion.
