Jail for bogus Yorkshire driving instructor who duped learners

Paul Berry, 44, had failed to qualify as a driving instructor but instead of retraining decided to “masquerade” as a professional and went out on the road with learner drivers, some of whom went on to pass their tests.

He admitted seven counts of fraud when he appeared before Leeds Crown Court yesterday.

Prosecuting, Richard Clews said Berry had claimed he was an approved driving instructor, giving lessons to a number of learners. He had received payments from September 2007 to October 2010.

Mr Clews said Berry made £9,250 from his fraudulent activities, although the defendant only accepted a sum of £6,500.

The court was told Berry, of Jilling Ing Park, Dewsbury, had failed the third and final part of the instructor exam and had not retaken it.

Judge Kerry Macgill said custody was his only option as he sentenced him to four months in jail.

He said: “You put yourself forward as a qualified instructor in a scheme that really has to be trusted by the public. People who send their children, or indeed anyone else to learn to drive, need to have the confidence that the person getting in the car is qualified.”

He said his fraud was “calculated and repeated” and this kind of offence “strikes at the very heart of what we have in this country” which requires regulation and confidence in a system once it has been set up.

Simon Osther, defending, said his client was “sorry and ashamed” but was motivated by trying to provide for his family.