THE mother of a man being sought by police has been fined £65 for obstruction after trying to help him escape.

Marie Lemin, 38, a clerical assistant from Awdry Road, Devizes, pleaded guilty to resisting or obstructing a constable when she appeared before Kennet magistrates on Tuesday.

Becky Abbott, prosecuting, said police were in the process of apprehending Tony Smith on January 6, but he escaped from the police car and officers were chasing him.

The officers lost track of Smith but, close to his home, they heard a car start up. They found Lemin in the driving seat about to drive off.

They managed to stop her and found Smith hiding in the boot. He tried to run off, but was apprehended.

Lemin told police her son had woken her up and asked her to take him to Netheravon. She said she knew that there was a warrant out for his arrest but still agreed to take him.

Miss Abbott said that Lemin, who was not represented in court, had no previous convictions and was a woman of previous good character.