Lie detector expert fibbed over speed ticket
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A TV lie detector expert was given a suspended prison sentence today after he was caught out lying to police over a speeding ticket.
Bruce Burgess, who carries out polygraph tests on the Jeremy Kyle Show, was snapped by a speed camera breaking the 30mph limit in Anglesea Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire, on August 31 this year.
But the 65-year-old, from Charles Babbage Close, Chessington, Surrey, lied to police by saying he was not the driver.
Burgess has now been given a 24-week prison sentence suspended for 12 months after pleading guilty at a previous hearing to a charge of perverting the course of justice.
He was also ordered to carry out 180 hours of community service.
He was fined £250 for the speeding offence and given three points on his driving licence which caused him to be disqualified for a year.
And he was ordered to pay £1,250 in costs and a £15 victim surcharge.
Pc Mick Gear, of the Hampshire Constabulary Safety Camera Partnership, said: "This started off as a speeding offence and has turned out to be a criminal matter which has involved a possible prison sentence with the possible loss of livelihood and all the embarrassment that goes with that.
"This could have been dealt with very easily and it is just not worth the risk so my advice is to put your hands up at the first opportunity."
As well as his work on television shows including The Trisha Show, The Jerry Springer Show and This Morning, Burgess offers his services to private customers.
His website offers polygraph tests for various occasions including to prove infidelity, sexual abuse and theft.
He also offers his services to provide confirmation of innocence.
The website states: "During my years of experience I have helped prove many individuals innocent of the allegations against them. "We can help you by testing your honesty in the only way possible."
He states he is a member of both the American Polygraph Association and the Association of British Investigators.
The site says: "I use the latest computerised polygraph lie detector equipment and techniques to ensure the highest accuracy rates."