A parking official who doctored a photo in an attempt to trap an innocent motorist has been sentenced to 150 hours of community service.

Gavin Moses, a member of staff at the NCP office in Bury, changed the date on a digital picture used as part of a ticket appeal hearing.

At a hearing on September 6, at Bolton Crown Court, the 27-year-old, of Duckworth Street in Bury, pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice.

On Friday, at Manchester's Minshull Street Crown Court, Judge Jonathan Geek said: "Given the nature of this case I would imagine it has been something of a blow for public confidence in the system."

The case against Moses followed the issuing of a £60 fine to motorist Kevin McGuire on Sunday, August 31, 2003.

The 51-year-old accounts manager checked there were no restrictions in place when he parked in Bury's Market Place at 7.15am.

He left his Toyota Camry and took a group of RAF cadets on a trip.

NCP had meant to put up signs the day before, restricting parking for the Gallipoli Day parade on the Sunday.

But the signs were not put up until Sunday in case they were torn down by drunken revellers the night before.

The signs were put up after Mr McGuire, of Middleton, Greater Manchester, returned to his vehicle at 5pm and found he has been booked.

He wrote to NCP to object and received a reply enclosing a photo taken on August 31 which showed a suspended parking sign close to where he had parked.

He appealed against the fine.

Henry Blackshaw, prosecuting, said: "The photo which was dated August 31 and showed a suspension sign was amended using computer software, so as to substitute the zero with a one, and sent to Mr McGuire."