A father who tried to take the blame for a traffic accident involving his son has had a suspended jail term confirmed on appeal.

Peter Argento, 69, was charged with making a false report and tampering with evidence after he claimed to have been driving a car which was actually being driven by his son.

His son,  24-year-old Dale, was driving without insurance cover when he was involved in an accident on April 8, 2006.

His son was also charged with involuntarily causing damages to another car in the accident, driving carelessly, at speed and without insurance.

Both men were found guilty by the first court..

Mr Argento (Sr) was given a one year jail term suspended for two years, a six month driving ban, a €582 fine and a general interdiction, while his son received a six month driving ban and a fine for the same amount after being found guilty of driving without insurance.

In filing an appeal, Mr Argento said he told the wardens that he had made a mistake at the scene but they refused to let him correct the statement.

Mr Justice Antonio Mizzi said that from the evidence produced it was clear that he had tried to get his son out of a problem with the insurance company, however, there was no evidence to prove that he had allowed his son to use the car.

He reduced the punishment for Mr Argento by revoking the fine and the driving ban. 

Lawyers Kris Busietta and Jason Azzopardi appeared for the father and the son. The son was later acquitted on all charges on appeal.