A drink-driver who attempted to impersonate his friend after being caught behind the wheel has been exposed thanks to immigration records.
Aranveer Singh, aged 24, was driving his friend Gourav Masih’s Ford Focus along Oadby Road in Wigston when he was spotted by Leicestershire Police officers. The vehicle, which was swerving across the road, drew their attention at around 12.35am on 24 March.
After being pulled over, Singh falsely claimed he was 32-year-old Gourav Masih and provided Mr Masih’s date of birth, which matched the insured driver details for the vehicle.
After failing a roadside breath test, Singh was taken to Euston Street Police Station in Leicester, where he provided a further sample, recording 55 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35 microgrammes.
His fingerprints were taken, and officers quickly challenged him on his true identity. Leicester Magistrates’ Court heard that both Singh’s and Masih’s fingerprints and photographs were available to Leicestershire Police via immigration records.
Prosecutor Cameron Byrne told the court:
“He was informed after the fingerprints were taken that he was Aranveer Singh and there were photos attached to his immigration record.
“The defendant continued to insist he was Gourav Masih. He was shown an image which was not a match. He made no comment in interview.
“It was only after the interview that he accepted he was not who he said he was but the obstruction had continued for a number of hours.”
Describing the driving, Mr Byrne said:
“The car was seen at about 12.35am on March 24 being driven at speed. The vehicle was drifting over the central line and veered onto the other side of the road and almost hit the kerb.”
Berinder Chawla, representing Singh, told magistrates that Singh had agreed to drive because Mr Masih had “consumed one too many drinks” and that Singh himself “felt unaffected by the alcohol.”
Mr Chawla explained that Singh was employed as a carer, travelling daily to visit around 15 clients, and that losing his licence would likely cost him his job, as his company would not cover taxi fares.
Singh pleaded guilty to drink-driving, driving without insurance, and obstructing a constable. Mr Chawla argued that although Singh attempted to mislead officers,
“[Singh’s] conduct didn’t make it more difficult for the police to carry out their duty. They didn’t believe him.”
Singh was fined £469, ordered to pay £85 in court costs and a £148 victim surcharge, and banned from driving for 15 months.
About Carl Millar
Carl Millar is a highly respected and experienced drink driving solicitor who is the principal of Millars Solicitors.
Carl has been a specialist in road traffic law for many years and represents clients from all walks of life and all over the Country. He is well known for the dogged defending of his clients and robust cross examination of police officers and exert witnesses.
With a wealth of expertise in motoring law Carl is well placed to provide advice over the phone and deal with all road traffic matters in a calm and professional way.
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