Driving With Mobile Phone Gets Disqualified Driver Caught
A 34-year-old man has been banned from driving for two years after being caught using a fake driving licence because he was seen using his mobile phone behind the wheel.
Officers on patrol spotted Christian Matache driving while using his mobile and pulled him over, at which point he presented a fake driving licence.
Prosecuting, Sabrina Naz told North Staffordshire Justice Centre: “Two officers were travelling, in an unmarked police car, southbound along the A500 towards the A50 when they saw the defendant driving alongside them holding a mobile phone.
“They illuminated the blue lights and safely stopped the vehicle on the A50 roundabout at Sideway.
“The defendant was asked to produce his driving licence. He provided a Romanian licence. An officer became suspicious because one of the security features did not look as it should.
“The police made contact with the national document fraud unit, who confirmed from viewing a photo that it was counterfeit.”
Further checks made by the police found that Matache was not listed as insured to drive the vehicle, and on being questioned about the fake documentation, he said he had paid an unknown male to provide it.
Representing himself in court using an interpreter, Matache explained that his wife had complained of feeling unwell after undergoing recent surgery. He received a call while working at a car-wash and, panicked, hurried to help her, setting off on the six-mile journey during which he was spotted and subsequently arrested.
Originally from Romania, Matache had no previous convictions and pleaded guilty to possessing a driving licence with intent to deceive, driving other than in accordance with a licence, driving without insurance, and using a mobile phone while driving.
He was banned from driving for two years and handed a 12-month community order. Magistrates also ordered him to undertake 200 hours of unpaid work and pay £135 costs and a surcharge of £85.
About Carl Millar
Carl Millar is a highly respected and experienced drink driving solicitor who is the principal of Millars Solicitors.
Carl has been a specialist in road traffic law for many years and represents clients from all walks of life and all over the Country. He is well known for the dogged defending of his clients and robust cross examination of police officers and exert witnesses.
With a wealth of expertise in motoring law Carl is well placed to provide advice over the phone and deal with all road traffic matters in a calm and professional way.
Getting in contact with Carl and Millars Solicitors is really easy. You can call him FREE on 0800 999 5535 or in an emergency you can call on 07855 806119.