A Romney Marsh woman used a fake driver's licence to land a job as a mobile security officer.

Fiona Read, 42, worked for Ashford-based Sight And Sound Security Solutions based in North House, North Street.

But in September last year she was stopped for speeding on the M20 driving a company van.

Canterbury Crown Court heard that police ordered her to produce her licence at Ashford police station within seven days.

Prosecutor Donna East said she later handed over a licence - but checks revealed it was counterfeit - and records showed she was only a learner driver.

Read, of Mill Road, denied charges of producing a fake licence and using it fraudulently to get her job.

But a jury found her guilty on both charges - and she was given a 12-month conditional discharge.

Mrs East said that Read went to the police station on September 7.

"She produced what purported to be a driver's licence in the name of Fiona Read.

"This was forwarded to central ticketing office where it soon became apparent that it was counterfeit licence."

Mrs East added that it was then sent to Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority offices at Swansea for examination.

"The card colour shading and text were sub-standard and ultra violet features of the Royal Coat of Arms and DVLA logo within photocard were not correct."

"The prosecution say that she lied to her employers about having a licence to gain that employment. Records did show that she did have a provisional licence. There are no records showing she has ever past a driving test and the licence she produced was false. "

Read, who wept at the verdict, claimed she had passed her driving test in 2004 and had received the licence from the DVLA.

The Crown Prosecution Service asked for £500 prosecution costs - but Read retorted: "I can't pay as I won't have my job now."

A spokesman for Sight and Sound refused to comment on the case.

Read was also fined £50 and her licence endorsed after admitting speeding.

But the judge ruled that Read should not have to pay costs for the five-day trial.