Five-wigged fraudster faces jail

A woman who took practical driving tests for five learner drivers while disguising herself in different wigs is facing jail.

Regine Tezangi, 52, was paid hundreds of pounds to secure driving licences for candidates at the test centres in Hither Green, southeast London and Sidcup, Kent.

Tezangi sat the tests between 25 June 2014 and 4 February last year.

She admitted six counts of fraud by false representation.

Four of the woman she took the tests for, Sylvie Omango, 36, Riskiest Olawuyi, 46, Esther Ehigbor, 53, and Galeh Barry, 30, all admitted fraud by false representation.

Ruphine Mpiri, 44, pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud by false representation relating to the scam at an earlier hearing.

Southwark Crown Court heard Tezangi ‘provided a service’ where she took driving tests for learners.

The case was not opened today (weds) but speaking at an earlier hearing prosecutor Denise Johnson said: ‘The crime is sophisticated in nature and there would be significant planning involved.

‘It does put members of the public, pedestrians and motorists in danger because you have an unqualified person behind the wheel.’

Westminster Magistrate Jessica Baldwin remarked: ‘Tezangi disguised herself with wigs to take the tests for the five other women.’

Judge Martin Beddoe adjourned sentence and warned Tezangi it is ‘inevitable’ she will be jailed for her leading role in the con.

Judge Beddoe said: ‘Miss Tezangi in your case you must understand that because of the very considerable role you played in the deceptions being made for the benefit of your
co-defendants and because you are not of good character it seems to me pretty inevitable that you will receive on the 28 March an immediate custodial sentence.

‘I don’t say that to give any false hope to the other defendants beside you in the dock but you clearly stand in a different position to them.’

Tezangi, of Victoria Park Road, Hackney, admitted six counts of fraud by false representation.

Barry, of Gibson Road, Kennington, Ehigbor, of Sherwood Park Road, Mitcham, Olawuyi of Gellatly Road, New Cross, and Omango, of Seven Sisters Road, Finsbury Park, all admitted fraud by false representation.

Mpiri, of Maysoule Road, Wandsworth, will be sentenced alongside them for two counts of fraud by false representation.
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