An asylum-seeker who impersonated two fellow Iraqis to help them pass their driving theory tests has been jailed and could now face deportation.
For the pair, neither of whom could read or write in English, Hounar Salih Baker sat the tests.
He has a previous conviction dating back two years for a similar offence, heard Grimsby Crown Court .
Last August Baker, who has been in the UK for 10 years, sat a test for fellow Iraqi Ismail Mustafa Ismail at the Driving Standards Agency test centre in Grimsby.
He passed the test on behalf of Ali Sabir Wahib at a testing centre in Oldham, in February.
The court heard Baker, of Ecclesall Road, Sheffield, would turn up posing as the person scheduled to take the test and present their identification documents.
He would then pass the test and hand the certificate to his co-conspirator.
Prosecuting, Helen Wheatley, said both incidents were recorded on CCTV and suspicions were aroused. In May, both the 27-year-old and Ismail were arrested.
It is understood that Wahib has gone missing.
Baker’s previous conviction at Warwick Crown Court in 2009 was a serious aggravating feature, said Judge David Tremberg.
He said the crimes may have been committed in a “relatively unsophisticated” way, but they were “difficult and time-consuming to detect, particularly when the defendant gives the runaround, makes denials and then decides to make no comment.”
“Passing a theory test is the basic minimum requirement of safety and competence to drive - you were willing to connive to get people through who could have posed a risk to other road users. In my judgement these offences are so serious only an immediate custodial sentence is appropriate,” he added.
Baker who pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud by false representation at an earlier hearing was sentenced to 12 months. He will eligible for release after serving half the sentence, less the time he has already spent on remand, with the rest of the time spent on licence.
The 12-month sentence means he is eligible for deportation, but he can appeal.
Defending Thomas Ledden said no money had passed hands. He said: “They didn’t speak very good English, they weren’t able to read or write; in my submission agreeing to undertake these tests having been solicited to do so by Mr Wahib and Mr Ishmael were acts of woefully misplaced kindness.”
Regional director at the UK Border Agency Jeremy Oppenheim said: “The UK Border Agency will not tolerate foreign nationals abusing the hospitality of this country.
“Being in the UK is a privilege and we will not hesitate to take the strongest possible action against those involved in immigration crime, including removing them from the country.”