Police found the licence was in the name of another man and his ‘motive was simply to carry on working’, a court heard
Aurel Memis admitted possessing a false identity document(Image: Humberside Police)
A fast food delivery driver used a false driving licence in a brazen bid to talk his way out of trouble if the police stopped him and checked on his details. But his crafty plan to pull the wool over the eyes of a suspicious officer badly backfired when police discovered that the licence that he showed them was in the name of another man, Hull Crown Court heard.
Aurel Memis, 32, of Division Road, Hessle Road, west Hull, but recently in custody on remand, admitted possessing a false identity document, a Spanish driving licence, with intent to deceive on October 30. He also admitted driving while disqualified and having no insurance.
Stephen Welch, prosecuting, said that police stopped a Citroen car in Anlaby Road, west Hull, and discovered that it was insured in the name of a man who was also shown on a driving licence that Memis produced. He “tried to pretend” that he was the man shown on the driving licence.
“Police investigations revealed his true identity and that he was a disqualified driver, which meant that he wasn’t insured,” said Mr Welch. During police interview, Memis admitted that he was aware that he was banned from driving.
He also admitted buying the vehicle about a month earlier. He had been banned from driving for two years on February 27 last year. The false identity document was an attempt to show that he had a right to drive in this country, said Mr Welch.
Neal Kutte, mitigating, said that it was a different situation from Memis using a false document to enter this country. Memis had been in custody at Hull Prison since November 1.
“This has been particularly difficult for him as his English is limited,” said Mr Kutte.
“It was particularly difficult over the festive period as it is a period when, as well as most people, he spends time with family.” Memis was Romanian and he had leave to remain in this country after being here for six years.
“His period in prison has been very much a wake-up call to him,” said Mr Kutte. “He has been very stupid and he recognises that and he apologises about his behaviour.
“The remorse he expresses is genuine remorse. He is not a criminal by nature. He is a hard worker by nature who has been very stupid in what he has done.
“His motive was simply to carry on working, delivering fast food. He has learned his lesson and he will not do this again. He has tried to hide what he was doing. He has had a short, sharp shock.”
Memis was jailed for 27 weeks and he was banned from driving for two years and until he has passed a driving test.