man who died in a tragic road traffic accident on his 24th birthday, and who was falsely blamed for recklessly driving the car that caused his death.

Moments before being sentenced to 18 months in prison for dangerous driving causing the death of his friend, Colin George Francis, and conspiring to hide the truth that he was in fact driving, Randolph Granville Lightbourne told Chief Justice Austin Ward: "I lied that night when I was initially asked if Colin was driving the car; that lie led to many more lies...

"God knows I loved Colin, and Colin loved me. God also knows that what I done was wrong. It took 13 months for me to give in to what God was telling me to do... I stand here today with a clear conscience.'' Mr. Francis died of massive internal injuries following a one-vehicle roll over on Middle Road, in Warwick, in the early hours of October 16, 1995.

Police investigators concluded the accident was "clearly caused by the negligence of the driver of (the Mitsubishi Colt), driving in such a manner and at an excessively high speed.'' Police determined the car, heading towards Somerset with five passengers, was travelling about 90 kilometres-per-hour before the driver lost control.

Lightbourne and two passengers -- Reid Jones and Troy Desilva-Symonds -- later told Police Mr. Francis was the driver. Both Jones and Desilva-Symonds pleaded guilty to conspiring to defeat justice earlier this year, and were sentenced to 200 hours of community work by Puisne Judge Richard Ground.

Some 13 months after the accident -- on November 6, 1996 -- Lightbourne was requested to attend Police headquarters at Prospect to be further interviewed, and at that time admitted he was the driver of the car.

Crown counsel Charlene Scott yesterday told Mr. Justice Ward: "The fact is the truth was kept from the wheels of justice for some 13 months before the deceased's name was finally cleared.'' Defence counsel Elizabeth Christopher, acting for Archie Warner, countered that if it were not for Lightbourne's confession "he might very well not be before this court today.

"By his own act, Lightbourne has placed himself in a position where now faces imprisonment.'' Ms. Christopher urged the court to consider an alternative to a custodial sentence, but that was quickly rejected by Mr. Justice Ward. He said: "I can't consider alternatives such as a suspended sentence or probation, and community service is not working,'' he said.

"The accused has pleaded guilty to a very bad case of dangerous driving, going more than two and a half times the speed limit and endangering not only his passengers, but other road users as well.'' He sentenced Lightbourne to 18 months on both counts.

Lightbourne, along with Jones, is also facing charges of armed robbery in connection with the July 8, 1997, hold-up of the Bank of Butterfield in Somerset.

It is understood Lightbourne is expected to be back before the court on Tuesday to elect a long-form preliminary inquiry.