A SOUTHAMPTON doctor who used a dead woman's signature as part of a "sophisticated" string of forgeries to avoid paying parking tickets could lose his job.

Dr Vincent Leaper successfully appealed seven parking tickets over a period of five years amounting to £470 using false documents to back up his story.

But council officials discovered the AA certificates he had supplied to support claims that his car had broken down in the parking bays were faked and the signature confirming them was that of a dead female employee.

Now he has escaped jail after a judge handed him a community order and ordered him to pay more than £3,500 costs.

But Leaper was told his actions "disgraced" his profession and may jeopardise his career as it has emerged the General Medical Council (GMC) is considering his position.

Leaper, 40, of Bourne Farm, Woodlands, Southampton admitted two counts of fraud, one of forgery and one of using a false instrument.

Southampton Crown Court heard how Leaper challenged tickets issued for parking his Jaguar in restricted areas or on double yellow lines between 2009-2014 in areas controlled by Winchester and Southampton City Council.

Prosecutor Duncan Milne told the court how Leaper had claimed he had broken down and accompanied his appeals with false AA reports signed in the name of employee Jackie Harrison who had previously died in 2010.

Mr Milne told the court: "it was work of fiction and fantasy."

But his actions only came to light in June 2014 when a Southampton City Council employee had become suspicious of the documents he had provided.

These included the employee's signature, a false MOT certificate and that AA letter formats had changed in 2013.

When interviewed in December 2014 Leaper said the breakdowns were genuine and that it was a "procedural error" but has now admitted that is not the case.

He revealed he paid £10 online for the report certificate but refused to name the source.

Mr Milne said the case involved "high culpability" adding : "There's a sophisticated nature and planning and they take place over a sustained period of time."

He added that £330 in parking tickets are still outstanding.

The court also heard how Leaper had a caution in 2013 from Bedfordshire Police for a fraud linked to car parking.

Defence barrister Mark Ashley said that Leaper - who splits his time working in The UK and in conflict zones in the Ukraine where he has a partner and child - had no idea the employee had died.

He also warned he could face punishment from the General Medical Council (GMC) and added: "it's going to affect his personal and professional life."

But sentencing Leaper, Judge The Recorder Richard Davison said: "These were sophisticated frauds involving forging false documents inconveniencing the public and putting the city council to unnecessary time and trouble. You have brought disgrace on yourself and your profession and have not shown very much remorse for these offences."

He added: "You've put your profession in jeopardy as it may be that the GMC takes a dim view of this conduct."

Leaper was sentenced to a 12 month community order with 180 hours unpaid work.

He must pay £70 compensation to Winchester Crown Court, £260 to Southampton City Council and £3,272.52 in prosecution costs.