Former Macfarlanes banking partner Francis Bridgeman has been sentenced to 12 months in prison after claiming he had been kidnapped in order to avoid being arrested for drink-driving.

Bridgeman was sentenced at Lewes Crown Court earlier today (20 January) having been found guilty of perverting the course of justice on 16 December 2011, following a five-day trial at Brighton Crown Court.

Bridgeman crashed – and abandoned – his car in April 2010 while over the limit but told police he had been kidnapped by armed men and driven off at knifepoint with a bag over his head in another vehicle before being dumped in a wood.

His version of events could not be substantiated, with CCTV footage showing him walking drunkenly in London, while the presence of his DNA on the car's airbag showed he must have been driving the car when it crashed.

Detective Constable Emma Penrose-Reed from East Sussex criminal investigation department said: "Francis Bridgeman attempted to create an elaborate web of lies and deceit around his bid to cover up his drink-driving offence and deflect attention away from himself.

"He tried to portray himself as a victim of crime and continually displayed acts of ill health throughout the investigation. But due to the hard work, considerable amount of resources and close liaison with our valuable partners at British Transport Police we were able to discredit his fabricated story and bring him to justice."

Bridgeman's appointment as a member of Macfarlanes limited liability partnership was terminated on 31 July 2011. He joined Macfarlanes in 2009 from Allen & Overy, where he had been a partner since 2000.

In addition to the 12-month sentence Bridgeman was ordered to pay £4,200 in costs and has been banned from driving for 18 months.

Click here for more from the Sussex Police website.