DVSA has revealed an MOT fraudster has been given an eight months suspended sentence and 150 hours community work.
The MOT tester was sentenced at Taunton Crown Court on 26 August 2022 and given an eight month suspended custodial sentence for issuing 31 MOT certificates without carrying out the tests. He was also banned from MOT testing for five years by DVSA.
Anton Fricker of Taunton previously plead guilty to committing fraud by dishonestly making a false representation by issuing an MOT certificate without performing MOT tests, intending to make a gain for himself or another. The guilty plea was entered at Taunton Magistrates’ Courts on 13th July 2022 and referred to Taunton Crown Court for sentencing.
Mr Fricker committed the crimes between 26th August and 18th October 2021 in Taunton and Yeovil.
Mr Fricker’s former employer alerted the DVSA of the issue, which resulted in a DVSA investigation. It was reported Mr Fricker refused to engage with the investigation. Having initially denied the offences, when presented with the evidence, Mr Fricker admitted to the counts and to having received payment for the fraudulent MOTs.
Mr Fricker was sentenced to an 8 month custodial sentence, suspended for 15 months. He was ordered to carry out 150 hrs of unpaid work and 25 rehabilitation days and ordered to pay a £500 contribution towards prosecution costs.
Marian Kitson, DVSA’s Director of Enforcement, said: “DVSA’s priority is protecting you from unsafe drivers and vehicles.
“Britain has some of the safest roads in the world. One of the reasons for this is the high standard of MOT testing carried on over 30 million vehicles a year.
“Mr Fricker issued MOT certificates to vehicles without having tested them. He was not only defrauding the MOT system, but he was also defrauding the public who rightly expect the MOT to help keep them and their families safe whilst using the roads.
“MOT Testers hold a position of trust and Fricker abused that trust. We will ensure that anyone who compromises safety in pursuit of personal gain feels the full force of the law.”
