A Somalian bus driver took up to 200 driving tests on behalf of fellow immigrants and charged them up to £500 a time. Deeg Mohammed, 27, impersonated hundreds of would-be candidates at a series of exam centres in a nationwide scam netting more than £100,000. Mohammed assumed the identities of his paying customers before passing the compulsory theory test with flying colours. The father-of-one was only caught when suspicious officials noticed that a number of bookings were being made using the same credit cards. After reviewing hours of CCTV footage they eventually found Mohammed sitting fifteen tests in six different counties. Mohammed, who used his experience as a bus driver to pass, told detectives he felt honour-bound to sit the computerised tests for dozens of fellow Somalis as it was not available in their native language and they could hardly speak any English. He was sentenced to 12 months in prison after admitting 15 counts of conspiracy to obtain property by deception at Guildford Crown Court. He could have been jailed for a maximum of 10 years. The court heard how he targeted exam centres in Southwark, Southgate, Harlow, Reading, Ilford, Luton, Croydon and Northampton between January 2004 and November 2005. After successfully taking the exam he would send the theory certificate to his clients through the post so that they could then apply for the practical part of their driving test. Mohammed, of Battersea, South London - who worked as a bus driver in the capital while also studying for a computing degree - was arrested at the end of last year after taking a test in Staines, Middlesex. It followed an investigation by the DVLA and Driving Standards Agency into allegations that scores of exams were being booked using the same credit cards. Matthew Banham, prosecuting, told the court that Mohammed was finally exposed as the imposter after a review of CCTV footage at all the test centres where the credit cards had been used. 'Mr Mohammed didn't appreciate the implications to the public safety' The true candidates were then arrested by police as they arrived to take their practical tests and given cautions. Many confessed they had paid Mohammed between £300 to £500 to take the theory test for them. Further investigations revealed that Mohammed and another man, Abdulliah Omar, had used credit cards to book over 200 tests. Police are still hunting Omar for his part in the fraud. Richard Job, defending Mohammed, said he had come to the UK in 2002 and married an English woman of Somali descent who recently gave birth to their first child. He said the defendant had lived in Northampton and Leicester before moving to London where he was coming to the end of a computer studies degree at Westminster University. "These are offences without a direct victim," he said. "Mr Mohammed didn't appreciate the implications to the public safety and insurance companies of his actions." The theory tests, he said, were available to applicants in a number of languages but crucially not Somali. As Mohammed spoke good English he decided to take the tests on their behalf out of "loyalty to the Somali community". "Mr. Mohammed doesn't accept that he received any payment for his involvement in these offences but did it as a favour to those in the Somali community who do not have his command of the English language," Mr Job added. "However I would accept that it is unlikely he would have done this without any financial incentives." Jailing him Recorder Paul Clements said: "Ignorance of the law is not a defence and it stretches the imagination that anyone can pretend on 15 occasions to be someone else and not think they are committing a crime. "These offences let loose onto the roads people who are not skilled to drive and people who are not skilled to drive can have accidents and hurt or kill others. "A message has to go out from this court that judges do consider this a serious crime that merits a prison sentence and that is what you are going to get." The DSA welcomed the sentence and said that it would actively seek to prosecute anyone trying to impersonate others to help them pass their theory or driving test. A spokeswoman added: "It is a reflection of the serious road safety implications for the public that the judge in this case has seen fit to impose a term of imprisonment." Source

What nonsense is this and why is it in this section?

Have to agree with ThePoint here (could you not change your name saaxib, it’s sort of confusing). Paragon seems to have turned optimism into fact and is presenting us with a feeble argument. The Courts have only been around as a real and noticeable power for a few months! Yes, they have made some great political successes (and even better social ones) but they’re not even half way through what they intend to do. We hope that their intentions are noble. We also hope that they’re not going to get corrupted by power. However, all these are mere wishes (no matter how far we stretch them). For now, only the heart is what should be rooting for the Courts, the mind can’t. After sixteen years of false dawns one can’t blame ThePoint, Duke and others if they’re being wary, cautious and suspicious! There is a long way to go before we know for certain if what the Courts are saying is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. In the meanwhile, every criticism, question and condemnation that is directed their way is valid. There are many ways that Paragon and others can sell us the case of the Courts but at no point should they try to break it down into the simplistic and hollow argument of ‘you’re either with us or against us’! That is not much of an argument and is, mostly, based on hearsay, expectations and wishes. Life, reality and politics do not work that way, my friend. It’s time to deal with the detractors of the Courts, Paragon. Are their grievances valid? Are their suspicions baseless? Could there be a compromise? If yours is the correct (and ‘good’) way, why can’t they see it and how could you bring them to your ‘side’ instead of threatening to crush all those that stand in your way (as your words implied)? After all, in that last question, that would be the way ‘good’ people would deal with opposition! Are we deluding ourselves here and supporting the Courts for Islamic reasons but rejecting all else for clannish ones? What about those that reject the courts? Are they doing it for purely clannish reasons or more because they mistrust the sincerity and truthfulness of these courts?

The Courts seem to have the upper hand and the momentum at the moment. So long as they keep on taking over towns and cities without shedding any blood, no sane person can stand against them. So long as they show fairness in their treatment, no sane person can stand against them. So long as they have supporters in these towns and cities, no sane person can stand against them. May they go on and unite the whole of Somalia. Pardon my emotional rant there. I don’t know what came over me! Actually, I might have told a lie there. I think I do. Lately, whenever I had discussions with friends from Somaliland and Punt land (who happened to be ‘wadado’) they all seemed to support the Courts! These are very proud nationalists (to their respective entities) and would always accuse me of all sorts of things when I’d criticise their setups. Yet, now, faced with a choice between being patriotic or being Islamic, they seem to have changed their tune and decided to follow the latter. I’ll already concede that the ones I met were in Europe and that those in Somalia might have a different outlook on things. However, I’m ready to wager (even though my beloved wadads might frown at the expression) that even those in Somalia are of the same mind. The Islamic Courts (regardless of the fact that they’re truly Islamic or not) have pulled a masterstroke here. They’ve forced every wadaad from Merca to Borama to rethink their beliefs and make a choice. Do you choose your ‘homeland’ and the ideas you’ve followed for years or do you follow your faith (ignoring the intricacies of that last question of course)? For the time being, the wind is with the Courts and their strategy of making haste is the correct one to follow. The sooner they spread to all parts of the former Somalia, the better their chances of survival. To wait and think will only allow the other side to expose your faults, concoct rumours and highlight the weaknesses in your supply lines. One has to give credit where credit is due and in the recent political battles in Somalia the courts have been winning with spectacular knockouts. Nonetheless, since the aim of every Somali is peace, prosperity and the avoidance of unnecessary fighting, one can’t see (for the time being) anyone else running Somalia but the Courts. Let us hope they carry on in the same vain and are not carried away by the bright lights of power and control or even by unnecessary overzealousness! Today Kismayo, tomorrow Bossaso and the day after, erm, better stop here before my ilma adeerayal disown me.

^^^ Ok. I understand why you would consider me a troll (seeing that I playfully pinch your ears every now and then) but why in the world is comrade Castro a troll? I agree that he’s a one-line-merchant (good one liners I must admit) but a troll? Too harsh! He’s a lover not a fighter. Ps The real and biggest troll here is that vile Val. She acts all nice and sweet, posts all those harmless messages of hers and pretends to be nice to everyone. Very disruptive and distracting that.

Female intuition takes time to develop, saaxib. It’s a mind trick. It’s emotional blackmail. It’s total and utter rubbish. It’s a game of chance, a gamble and a lottery. She cooks you a meal, tells you that she KNOWS you will love it; you eat her meal and hate it! But if you say you hated it, her reply will be: “I knew you would say that, you heartless bruteâ€. And if you liked it, she will say: “ Didn’t I say you will like it?†That, in a nutshell (heh) is female intuition.

^^ I have indeed. Trying to get as many in as I can before Ramadan Internet Troll

^^^ You two give trolling a bad name

Heh. Sheherazade That was a superb description. Great to know that you have a stomach of steel (unlike some other Nomads).

^^^ Clever Ken is trying to force people to use his Oyster cards. Not really a bad thing if you ask me. I’m not sure about the details here (so don't quote me) but I don’t think these price rises apply to Oyster Cards.

No, North. Not for a while yet. And even then, I'm not sure I can cope with the UAE anymore. I know far too many people in that place and the chances (for me) of moral corruption are very high. Best stay a good boy in London. PS Serenity, you can stop digging now. Val is a forgiving person (I wanted to say a pushover really but I’m being ultra nice today).

Originally posted by -Serenity-: Val, starts in OCT. But aabo is adamant I dont work till the end of Ramadan (not that I'll even b fasting!)... I'm gonna go in and see what its all about 2morrow anyways. The job description gives me the impression a monkey could do it (and I need a very challenging and dynamic job). First she says the job pays more and then she says a monkey could do it! I really don't know why you're friends with this woman, Val. Really don't.

^^ You don't. You peep your horn for a full five minutes. That is actually the first culture shock anyone that goes to Dubai has. Last year, when I went there on holiday I was accompanied by someone that lived in the UK for far too long and had forgotten how things worked in the UAE. He hired a car and we went driving around. After ten minutes of driving, he stopped the car in the middle of a busy road and got out to argue with the Taxi that was peeping his horn behind us. Val, Don't forget the unwanted attention. Yes! Feeling very mellow right now. Stop moaning about the holidays. you GET 28 days. 28 DAYS! :eek:

What a delightful thread. Perfect tragedy there. I suggest that you put the children up for adoption, go on a well-deserved holiday and pick up a drug habit of your own. It’s the only way to bring your life back in line you know. JB there must have hit his head on something today (or, and that would be right up his street, he saw and opportunity and is trying to hit on someone).

^^^ YES I still reckon you can speak fluent Arabic in less than six months. All depends on your desire to do so. Ps Is your company doing the Friday/Saturday weekend for the first time or has it always been the case?

^^^ There is something you’re not doing right there. It’s almost two years since you’ve been in those parts, fix up saaxib. Work on that Arabic. Six months should be enough for you to become fluent I reckon. Val, are you complaining about your 28 days holiday? That’s almost a full month, damn you! A full month! As for the tube, it’s really as unreliable as ever and it’s going to get worse now that the schools are back. Ps I had me a very pleasant lunch hour with smoke coming out of my ears. Not feeling sleepy anymore.

How many holidays do you get per year? It seems like you're always off on one holiday or another! :mad:

I’m struggling to keep my eyes open today. Last night was very humid and stuffy I really didn’t get much sleep. Now, I could go and buy some ProPlus (aah, the good old days). I could have five cans of Red Bull or I could go to the Men’s and sleep in one of the cubicles. But I will not. I’m going to Edgware Road in half an hour and shall smoke myself silly (it’s the only way really).

Bored each other to death by the look of it! Still, you call and look who was the first to reply

^^^ By a hundred and eighty year old virgin woman that can also tell the future?

^^^ Looks like married life has kicked in and now Khayer is quite the philosopher. From Abu el Cureef to a Caarif in the space of one poem.

I read it simply as it was written. The bits in between are great questions that send one into a world of contemplation and pondering but are only the building blocks to the final aim of the poem (as I understood it). Of course, I might have got it all wrong but what I think he is saying (and put very simply) is that we are nothing without god. I realise that the poet was said to be a Sufi and can see what sort of undertones and connotations would accompany any of his works, but I posted the poem for the sheer beauty of the words (words that have been translated from the original no less).

Disagree, old chum. I don’t think its passé at all. It serves a purpose, it works and it forces people to either ponder or (simply) stop being lazy. Just like your good self here, you sit there croaking like an idle old frog and force me to clap my hands (very loudly) to get you to move. But once you’re startled and you jump, and once that brain of yours starts whirring like one of your jumbo jets, ah! You suddenly come alive and reading your stuff becomes interesting. Now, why couldn’t you do that on your own? Why do I always have to start you up like some dusty old tractor? Don’t wait for me, plough away, son, plough away. PS No argument is perfect, saaxib. To my shock (and I’m sure yours), I sometimes, after reading some discussion I had in the past, cringe at the stuff I wrote! Of course, the cringing does not last long and I always find a way to explain away the weaknesses in those arguments. So, yes, there are huge holes in all my arguments. What makes them great though is that they almost always stand unchallenged.

^^^ But, comrade, you're trying to cheat me out here. How could we differ in our explanations when you have not given any? It’s no good having it all stored in your head and expecting us to know what you think, comrade. Tell us what you think, please.

Emptiness Consider the difference in our actions and God's actions. We often ask, "Why did you do that?" or "Why did I act like that?" We do act, and yet everything we do is God's creative action. We look back and analyse the events of our lives, but there is another way of seeing, a backward-and-forward-at-once vision, that is not rationally understandable. Only God can understand it. Satan made the excuse, "You caused me to fall, whereas Adam said to God, "We did this to ourselves." After this repentance, God asked Adam, "Since all is within my foreknowledge, why didn't you defend yourself with that reason?" Adam answered, "I was afraid, and I wanted to be reverent." Whoever acts with respect will get respect. Whoever brings sweetness will be served almond cake. Good women are drawn to be with good men. Honour your friend. Or treat him rudely, and see what happens! Love, tell an incident now that will clarify this mystery of how we act feely, and are yet compelled. One hand shakes with palsy. Another shakes because because you slapped it away. Both tremblings come from God, but you feel guilty for the one, and what about the other? These are intellectual questions. The spirit approaches the matter differently. Omar once had a friend, a scientist, Bu'l-Hakam, who was flawless at solving empirical problems, but he could not follow Omar into the area of illumination and wonder. Now I return to the text, "And He is with you, wherever you are," but when have I ever left it! Ignorance is God's prison Knowing is God's palace. We sleep in God's unconsciousness. We wake in God's open hand. We weep God's rain. We laugh God's lightning. Fighting and peacefulness both take place within God. Who are we then in this complicated world-tangle, that is really just the single, straight line down at the beginning of ALLAH? Nothing. We are emptiness. ---- When you are with everyone but me, you're with no one. When you are with no one but me, you're with everyone. Instead of being so bound up with everyone, be everyone. When you become that many, you're nothing. Empty. -- Jalaluddin Rumi Source ---------------------------- I was here first