Amit Bahanda, the founder of the North East charity Project Santa, has been banned from driving again after he gave police a false name when stopped behind the wheel while disqualified. The 45-year-old, who is also a family court magistrate from Ponteland, pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified and driving without insurance at Newcastle Magistrates' Court.
Bahanda, of High View, Ponteland, claimed he did not know he had been banned under the totting-up procedure in May. However, when officers stopped him on Callerton Lane, in Ponteland, on August 29, he provided a different name, prosecutors said. A police computer check quickly uncovered his true identity after officers found a picture of him on his driving licence in their IT system.
Judge rejects claim of ignorance
Janice Hall, defending, said Bahanda had not realised he was a banned motorist because he had been disqualified in his absence in May due to totting up penalty points. But District Judge Paul Currer rejected that excuse, saying: "Why did he give the police a false name, then? That seems to me that he did know he was disqualified as he gave someone else's name."
Jade Houston, prosecuting, told the court: "The officers were aware that the vehicle was associated with someone who was a disqualified driver. He provided a different name to officers to start with. The officers did a check and found a picture on his driving licence on their system. He was disqualified from May until November 28 this month. He was disqualified under the totting procedure."
Charity work and sentencing
Mrs Hall explained that Bahanda had been getting work done on his drive when a letter from the police asking him to identify who was driving his car when it was caught speeding earlier this year went astray. She added: "That letter went astray and he didn't receive it. It appears he was charged with failing to provide the identification of a driver and found guilty in his absence and a totting disqualification was imposed. He was completely unaware he was driving whilst disqualified."
Mrs Hall also highlighted Bahanda's charitable work, saying: "Mr Bahanda is of previous good character and has pleaded guilty. He has also run a charity for the last 15 years called 'Project Santa'. It recently won an award with the BBC. It ensures that all children get Christmas presents on Christmas Day, working with both schools and councils. It's voluntary on his behalf. He delivers presents to school and individuals. Clearly, that is something significant in December and him having his driving licence will help ensure those deliveries take place."
Fining Bahanda £1,500 and banning him from the roads for six months, District Judge Currer said: "It seems to me you have not accepted your responsibility as much as you might by saying you didn't know you were disqualified. I reject that as you gave a false name when you were stopped and gave your cousin's name." Bahanda was also ordered to pay £85 costs and a £600 victim surcharge.
