Examiner facing trial over driving test fraud claims

Examiner facing trial over driving test fraud claims

21 May 2014

A DRIVING examiner accused of ensuring certain candidates passed their tests in Downpatrick Test Centre is to go on trial.

Portaferry’s William Gowan is alleged to have received text messages telling him when certain students were due to take their tests.

A prosecutor, speaking at a preliminary enquiry at Downpatrick courthouse on Monday, said there was evidence 38 year-old Gowan, of Ardminnan Road, had swapped candidates with “successful results being achieved.”

As a result of his alleged actions, she said some people could be on the road without being properly qualified.

Gowan denies six counts of misconduct in public office relating to five women and one man who took their tests in Downpatrick between March 2010 and February 2012.

He appeared in court for Monday’s hearing where the prosecutor said there was no reason for a driving examiner like Gowan to have text messages on his phone in advance of tests.

She said this was “well in breach of procedure” and was concerning due to the “serious nature” of Gowan’s job which was to ensure drivers on the road are capable of being there.

She added that the Public Prosecution Service was not seeking to rely on the fact that money had changed hands.

Defence barrister Chris Holmes said his client was alleged to have been getting advance notice of people due to take their tests and “taking money from those people and passing them when they should not have been passing their tests.”

However, Mr. Holmes said the prosecution could not prove any money had been paid, nor that any test was affected.

He also said no test had been voided by the Driver Vehicle Agency and insisted there was no evidence that his client had taken steps to ensure people passed.

Deputy District Judge Sean O’Hare said it was indisputable that the defendant had some text messages on his phone for which he had provided no explanation.

He referred to one message in particular, which he was was of “concern” to the court.

Gowan was released on his own bail of £500 until his trial at Downpatrick Crown Court later this month.