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Pair failed driving tests they took for others
A pair of fraudsters were paid to take driving tests by dozens of cheats – but failed most of them.
Ali Abdullah, 28, and Muqtar Nuren, 22, took 27 practical and 16 theory tests between them for 35 different candidates on a 'no pass, no fee' basis.
But they were such bad drivers they only passed seven practical and three theory tests between them.
Abdullah's solicitor Joe Boyd described their success rate as "abysmal" and said the scam was "spectacularly unsophisticated".
He added: "It was an enormous amount of effort for very little reward."
The Driving Standards Agency started an investigation into Abdullah and Nuren because they looked nothing like the people pictured on the provisional licences they used.
The pair have now been jailed after admitting conspiracy to defraud.
Abdullah, of City Road, Hulme, was sentenced at Manchester Crown Court to three years and Nuren, of Staycott Street, Moss Side, was jailed for a year.
The scam, which operated from October 2006 until July 2008, targeted theory test centres in Salford, Runcorn, Preston, Stockport, St Helens and Ilford in east London, before moving on to practical test centres in Sale, Oldham, Bury, Cheetham Hill, Failsworth, Huddersfield and Redditch in Worcestershire.
The pair were arrested last July after CCTV linked them to fraudulent tests. Both were found to own two licences and it is believed they were part of a ring of crooks.
Abdullah, who was also recognised by an examiner, admitted allowing his cars to be used for practicals, taking 10 theory tests for people and taking at least one practical.
Mohammed Nawaz, prosecuting, said text messages found on Abdullah's phone revealed he had been receiving people's details to book tests.
Abdullah, a father-of-two, was jailed for 18-months for a similar fraud in 2004.
Nuren admitted taking three theory tests and five practical tests in cars. His mobile phone number had been used to book a string of tests.
Benjamin Myers, representing Nuren, said: "Staff at the test centres appeared to be aware about what was happening. There were a number of occasions where Mr Nuren was challenged."
He added: "It's surprising that anybody wanted to use these defendants."
Sentencing, Judge Andrew Blake said: "The DSA oversees driver testing in this country. It's to ensure that those who use our roads are competent and safe drivers.
"Any failure by them would be reflected in an increase in road traffic accidents and therefore injury and death on the roads. People such as you who carry out frauds endanger us all."
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Saturday 04 February 2012
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