A 'prolific' fraudster was paid £200 to sit a driving theory test for his friend, a court heard.
Aaron Farrell, from Rochdale, was stopped at a driving test centre in York just before he was about to sit the test under another person's name. The 27-year-old had been paid £200 to sit the test on behalf of a pal named Azizullah Adikhail, the court was told.
But staff became suspicious as they recognised Farrell's face from other previous tests sat by an imposter. His mugshot was on a nationwide list of 'people to look out for', test centre manager Daniel Clapham said.
READ MORE: Join the FREE Manchester Evening News WhatsApp community
Farrell was spared jail at Tameside Magistrates' Court after being given a 'chance' by JPs. Tess Kenyon, prosecuting, told the court: "On March 23, 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."
In his statement, Mr Clapham 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."
Miss Kenyon added: "When the police arrived, the defendant bolted out of the door and tried to make a run for it. He did not get far before he was apprehended and arrested.
"He was then taken to York custody suite where he was later interviewed. He gave no comment in his interview, but police were able to ascertain his real name and address. The fake ID was also apprehended."
The court heard how Farrell had a number of previous convictions, including for perverting the course of justice in 2020. He was jailed for 21 months after he helped clean up incriminating fingerprints left at the scene of a rape.
He also had an attempted robbery conviction against his name from 2017 as well as a number of breaches and offences of burglary.
In mitigation, Farrell's lawyer Martha Whitehead 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." She added: "This offence occurred over a year ago and he pleaded guilty at the first available opportunity.
"The defendant has had a difficult start in life. His father has been living out in Pakistan for years and he has had minimal contact with him.
"His mother has been in and out of hospital his whole life with schizophrenia. This has meant that he has been care since the age of five.
"He is now in a relationship with his girlfriend. Despite being let go from his job he is currently doing ad-hoc shifts with DPD, which earns him around £240 a week. He is also in receipt of universal credit."
Farrell admitted fraud by false representation and another charge of possession of an article for use in fraud. When asked by JPs why he did it, Farrell himself told the court: "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.'"
Sentencing, chairperson Celia 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.'"
Before releasing him from the dock, Ms Metcalfe told Farrell: "I just don’t want you doing it again, you’ve been given a chance now and you have to prove it."
Farrell, of Ansdell Road, Rochdale, was sentenced to 24 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months. He also has to carry out 20 rehabilitation activity hours.
He was ordered to be electronically tagged for six months and to pay £213 in costs and a victim surcharge.
Read more of today's top stories here
READ NEXT:
- Moment masked robbers took young girls, 7 and 12, hostage with knives and threatened to “kill” boy before ransacking home
- Doer-upper house with 'huge potential' in one of Greater Manchester's most sought-after areas goes on market for just £160,000
- Pervert arrested at NURSERY where he worked as a cook after he was caught sending sick messages to 'girls'
- Two new Manchester restaurants up for gongs at prestigious national awards
- CCTV images show man wanted for 'performing sex act' in front of woman sat in car
