A private hire driver with no insurance has lost his licence after using the pandemic to commit a fraud. Yasir Qudratullah has also been hit with fines and costs of more than £700.
During the Covid pandemic councils accepted certain documents via email because offices were closed due to restrictions on working In June 2020, Qudratullah, of Eton Avenue, Oldham sent his insurance certificate and vehicle log book into the licensing team.
Officers noted that alterations had been made to the documents to make it appear that insurance was in place when it had run out. Further investigations with the insurance company and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) confirmed this to be the case and legal proceedings against the 36-year-old were started.
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Qudratullah was charged under the Fraud Act 2006 and pleaded guilty on the day of his trial. At a sentencing hearing at Tameside Magistrates’ Court Qudratullah was fined £80 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £34 plus council costs of £600.
The council’s licensing panel subsequently removed his licence. Councillor Jean Stretton, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said: “The council will not hesitate to take enforcement action against anyone who attempts to obtain a licence by deception.
“If this hadn’t been picked up by our diligent officers, members of the public would have been driven around by a man without insurance which is a significant safety risk, and one the council will not tolerate.”
