A Rochdale man has been convicted of fraud after impersonating driving theory test candidates at test centres around the country.
Aaron Farrell, 27, of Turf Hill, Rochdale, admitted offences of fraud by false representation and possessing an article for use in fraud when he appeared at Tameside Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, 16th May 2023.
Fraud by false representation is an offence under section 2 of the Fraud Act 2006. It has a maximum penalty of 10 years' custody and/or an unlimited fine on conviction on indictment; 26 weeks' custody and/or an unlimited fine on summary conviction.
Farrell was caught by eagle-eyed staff at the York driving theory test centre, who recognised his face from a nationwide circular about driving test fraudsters.
He had attended the centre to take a test in the name of a friend, Azizullah Adikhail, who had paid him £200.
Tess Kenyon, prosecuting, outlined the facts: "On 23rd March 2022, staff at the York Test Centre in the Clifford Chambers building were invigilating participants taking their driving theory tests.
"The defendant came into the test centre and showed staff his ID to staff, which showed the portrait, date of birth and address of Azizullah Adikhail.
"CCTV cameras in the centre identified the defendant as someone who they believed had been taking false theory tests. Test centre manager, Daniel Clapham, noted that the defendant was a prolific nation-wide impersonator that is likely to use a number of identities. He on a list of individuals who would carry out fraud."
A statement by Daniel Clapham, test centre manager said: "Among the staff, we agreed to let him take the test but would keep an eye on him and had already alerted the police. Before that we asked him for his name and date of birth, which he answered correctly.
"However, he hesitated when we asked him for his address and then gave an incorrect address."
The police arrived an arrested Farrell. Fake identification documents were found when he was searched.
Magistrates heard that Farrell has previous convictions for dishonesty, including perverting the course of justice.
Martha Whitehead, mitigating, said: "His reason for being there that day was because he was destitute and desperate. He accepted an offer from a friend for £200 and he took that offer.
"He did it to support himself, he had recently lost his job and was tempted."
The court heard that Farrell was now doing some limited work for parcel delivery company DPD.
Celia Metcalfe JP, Presiding Justice, asked Farrell why he committed the offences.
Farrell replied: "I did it out of desperation, I was sacked from my job and I had no income.
"I will never do it again in my life your honour. I'm sorry."
Magistrates were of the view that Farrell's offences were so serious that only a custodial sentence was appropriate. However, for reasons that have gone unreported, they stepped back from immediate custody.
Addressing Farrell, Mrs Metcalfe said: "The most worrying thing to consider about this offence was that a person could have ended up driving on the roads not even having taken the theory tests. You would have gotten away with it if it was not for the vigilance of the test centre staff."
Farrell was sentenced to 24 weeks' custody suspended for 12 months, with the requirement that he completes 20 days' rehabilitation activity and is subject to 6 months' electronically monitored curfew.
He was also ordered to pay £128 surcharge and £85 towards prosecution costs.
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