29 March 2023 , 12:53
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A man who paid two impersonators to take his driving theory test because he was “deeply embarrassed” after failing 14 times has been sentenced in court.
Mohammad Shoaib, 38, was nicknamed the “fifth failure” by colleagues and friends as he struggled to get a passing grade, before nine more time defeats.
Fed up, he paid two impersonators almost 35 times the cost of a test to take his theory for him between December 30, 2021 and January 5, 2022.
The first was caught and not allowed to sit the exam, but the next was more successful and passed.
Stephen Thomas, prosecuting, told City of London Magistrates' Court: "Mr Shoaib provided a provisional driving licence to enable an impersonator to take his theory test on his behalf.
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Shoaib pleaded guilty to the offences (Getty Images/iStockphoto)“On December 30 the impersonator attended the Sidcup theory test centre, but staff at the theory centre were not satisfied with the licence and the man was refused to take the test.
“On January 5 another impersonator attended a Southampton test centre, so quite some distance away.
“On both occasions they were using Mr Shoaib's licence. On this occasion that person was allowed in and passed their test.
“It should be noted for the record that when it came to pass, the theory pass was automatically disqualified and he didn't go on to take his practical.
“Mr Shoaib attended for interview and admitted paying the sum of £800 to an unknown man for the purpose of fraudulently obtaining a theory pass.
“He made numerous attempts to pass and had kept failing when he was approached by a person who knew he had issues and offered to take the test for him.. He asked for £800 and a licence to be sent to him.”
Mr Thomas explained had the fraud been a one-off they would not be seeking to prosecute.
He added: "If this was just a one-off we wouldn't prosecute, but it happened twice.
“Also the other element of this is; this is all done by organised crime. There is organised crime behind it which is why we prosecute these cases.”
The defendant vowed to keep trying to pass his driving test (Getty Images/iStockphoto)Shahzad Hussain, defending, said Shoaib was 'very deeply embarrassed'.
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He says: "When I took the test five times and failed I was devastated. I am very deeply embarrassed".
“He is a husband and father of two young children. Amongst his colleagues and friends he was known as a "fifth failure" for failing five times. He then failed a further nine times after this.
“He works six days a week in a warehouse and he has not slept since these proceedings and is extremely anxious.
“This was an opportunity that arose and he paid for it.”
Mr Hussain confirmed Shoaib will continue to take theory tests. In total Shoaib will have spent £345 to sit the tests.
To probation Shoaib said: 'I have disrespected the country I live in. I was desperate and foolish.'
Shoaib, of Luton, was sentenced to a 12 month community order.
He will be subjected to a tagged curfew from 10am to 5pm starting tomorrow for one month.
He must also pay £230 in prosecution costs and a £114 victim surcharge.
Magistrate Chair Karen Forster said: “You pleaded guilty at the earliest possible opportunity.
“You deeply regret this offence and have showed a lot of remorse.”
Shoaib admitted one count of supplying an article for use in fraud, namely his provisional licence.