Used false licence

A Garda’s suspicions about a driving licence from a driver he stopped were proven correct as it turned out to be false.

As a result of stopping the driver, Wojciech Badziaka (42) of 52 Crozon Park was summoned for having a using and having a false Polish driving licence in his possession at Cleveragh Road on June 5 th.

Inspector Donal Sweeney said the defendant was stopped by Garda Brendan Gardiner and a demand was made for the driver to produce his insurance and licence.

The Garda had suspicions about the licence produced and it was retained for examination.

It was sent to the Documents Section of Garda Headquarters for analysis and a certificate was subsequently issued stating the licence was false.

In 2011, the defendant was banned for a year after he sent a friend in to do the eyesight test when applying for a driving licence.

The Inspector added that the defendant would not be covered by insurance as a result of his using a false licence and he was also facing a summons in this regard.

Mr Eddie Henry, solicitor (defending) said the defendant was a named driver on a policy and felt he was insured.

He was a part-time baker “working ungodly hours as bakers do.”

The defendant had bad eyesight which led to his committing the previous offence, getting a friend to do it for him.

The defendant was obsessed with driving, added the solicitor.

Mr Henry said the defendant had since had laser surgery in his native Poland and now good eyesight. He was living in this country for 12 years and fully admitted the matter from the outset, added Mr Henry.

Judge Kevin Kilrane said the defendant had got a chance before and didn’t learn from it.

“Here he is, up and at it again,” he said.

He imposed a four month jail term on the false licence charge suspending it for three years on condition there was no further road traffic or indictable convictions within that period.

The Judge also banned him from driving for three years.