A Spalding man who submitted a counterfeit driving licence to the DVLA even though he did not own a car was hit with a £1,000 court bill.
Dariusz Wasilewski, 53, was caught after the quality of the forged licence raised suspicions with investigators.
Lincoln Crown Court heard a Latvian licence was submitted to the DVLA during October 2022 in the name of Mr Wasilewski for exchange with a UK licence.
Sam Lowne, prosecuting, said the UK licence was initially granted but came under suspicion after a retrospective check of the Latvian licence.
The UV section and background of the Latvian licence was found to be lacking in quality, Mr Lowne told the court.
Wasilewski, of The Hayfields, Spalding, gave a no comment interview to the police but later admitted a single charge of fraud.
Karen Walton, mitigating for Wasilewski, submitted a number of character references and confirmed he had no previous convictions in either the UK or abroad.
“This is totally out of character,” Miss Walton assured the court. “He works hard and provides for his family.
“He is upset and takes full responsibility.”
Miss Walton added Wasilewski now had no intention of getting behind the wheel.
“He doesn’t have a car, he can’t afford to run a car in this country,” Miss Walton explained.
Passing sentence Recorder Simon King told Wasilewski he found it hard to understand his motivation for the offence as he was otherwise law abiding and did not even have a car.
“You have managed to get through life so far without any police or court convictions. That is to your credit,” Recorder King said.
‘It makes it even more difficult to understand what you did on this occasion.
“Nevertheless what you did was dishonest and illegal.”
But Recorder King said it was clear Wasilewski was otherwise held in high regard.
Wasilewski, who listened to the court hearing via a Polish interpreter, was sentenced to a 12 month community order and must also complete 120 hours of unpaid work in the community.
Wasilewski was also ordered to pay £1,000 court costs.
