Excise licence cheat caught after 17 years

Allah Ditta's deception only came to light last year when his friend, Mohammed Arshad, applied for a job as a security guard and a check revealed he had convictions for the tax disc offence, handling stolen goods and a caution for common assault.

Bradford Crown Court heard that back in 1993, Ditta, 43, of Dracup Road, Great Horton, Bradford, had used his friend's identity in court and given a 12 month conditional discharge for the tax disc and handling offences.

When later cautioned for the common assault in 2005 Ditta gave his own details, but because his fingerprints were on the record as being Mr Arshad that matter was also added to his antecedents.

Both men went to the police to clear up the situation and yesterday Judge Jonathan Durham Hall, QC, suspended Ditta's nine-month prison sentence for a year after he admitted perverting the course of public justice. Ditta was also ordered to pay 535 costs.