Bogus driving instructor avoids prison
A BOGUS driving instructor from Halifax who made thousands of pounds from unsuspecting learners has avoided jail.
Nigel Horsfall had failed to qualify as an approved driving instructor but still went out on the road with learner drivers, one of whom repeatedly failed his test.
Leeds Crown Court heard the 40-year-old had passed the first two parts of his instructor exams, but failed the third and final part.
Prosecutor Olivia Maginn said it was around January 2018 when he joined Around the Bend Driving School agency as a self-employed instructor.
One student paid up to £1,000 for 30-40 lessons, only to fail his test twice.
A second student paid £950 for lessons and a third student’s stepfather paid £200 for six lessons.
A fourth student paid £225 for five lessons and tests but the defendant would cancel the lessons at the last minute and was uncontactable.
Miss Maginn said none of the students received refunds and he also owed £2,483 to Simon Calvert, the agency’s managing director.
The court was told Mr Calvert became aware that Horsfall was not qualified in February 2019 and he was dismissed.
In his police interview, Horsfall, of Bairstow Lane, Sowerby Bridge, Halifax admitted that he had never held an approved driving instructor’s badge and it was illegal for him to work as an instructor.
He pleaded guilty at the first opportunity to five counts of fraud by false representation.
Horsfall was handed eight months in prison, suspended for two years, and ordered to complete 250 hours of unpaid work.