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A north London father has been sentenced for using an impostor to pass his driving theory test, a court heard. Drilon Hasaj, 30, recruited someone he met on Instagram to sit the exam on his behalf, handing over his provisional licence. The ruse was uncovered after CCTV footage from the Uxbridge DVSA centre showed that the person taking the test was not Hasaj.

Hasaj later admitted to supplying his driving licence for use in fraud. At Highbury Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, November 5, he received a 12-month community order and was fined £1,653. The court heard he sent “a couple of messages” to an Instagram account arranging the plan. The DVSA counter fraud team identified the discrepancy and informed him, and he chose not to appeal.

The fraud offence is over three years old. Prosecutors had urged for a custodial sentence, but defence solicitor Ghulam Sohail emphasised that Hasaj had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity. Mr Sohail noted that Hasaj had no significant criminal history beyond a road traffic conviction and six-month driving ban in January 2024. He added: “He works, he’s clearly the breadwinner in his home address. His partner has twins 16 months of age now, he provides for them. It’s been a massive turning point in his life, arguably the most significant development in his life since October 2022.”

Hasaj works long hours, sometimes up to 12 hours a day, six days a week. His solicitor stressed that unpaid work would heavily affect his family life, as he is the main provider. Considering these factors, magistrates opted for a community order instead of custodial or extensive unpaid work requirements.

Presiding Justice Geraldine Richards, alongside magistrates David Quinton Henning Shaw and David Evans, stressed the seriousness of the offence. “It’s make or supply an article to be used for fraud. It’s not something that the court can take lightly. For us, the offence is so serious that we think a community order is to be applied,” she said. Hasaj is also required to complete 15 rehabilitation activity days, including eight days focused on improving thinking skills, as part of his sentence.

The case highlights the legal consequences of attempting to cheat driving examinations through fraudulent means. Despite the offence, Hasaj’s early guilty plea and family responsibilities influenced the sentencing decision. His sentence aims to balance accountability with practical considerations for his household, while reinforcing the seriousness of using others to commit fraud. The court’s decision demonstrates that attempts to bypass testing procedures are treated as significant offences, even if no criminal inclination is otherwise present.

The father-of-two can now serve his sentence through community rehabilitation measures rather than a custodial term, maintaining his role as the primary provider for his young family while addressing the wrongdoing.

A 14-year-old British boy who took his parents to court after being sent to boarding school in Ghana must remain there until at least the end of his GCSEs, a High Court judge has ruled. The decision follows months of legal proceedings that began after the boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, argued that he was unhappy and wanted to return to the UK.

The boy was taken to Ghana in March 2024 after being told he was visiting a sick relative. In reality, his parents had arranged for him to move there due to concerns about his behaviour in London, including repeated absences from school, having unexplained money, and carrying a knife. Court papers said the boy denied being part of a gang or carrying a weapon.

After arriving in Ghana, the boy said he was homesick and struggled to adapt to life there. He told the court that he was “living in hell”, “desperate” to return to the UK, and felt “like an alien” in Ghana. He said he had been “abandoned” by his family, did not speak Twi, and had difficulty making friends or fitting in socially. Despite these challenges, the High Court has ruled that he should stay in Ghana to complete his GCSEs before any return is considered.

In February, the boy found publicly funded lawyers and brought a case against his parents to the High Court in London. He initially lost his bid to return when a judge ruled that coming back to the UK would expose him to greater harm. However, in June, he won a Court of Appeal challenge to have the case reheard after Sir Andrew McFarlane, the most senior judge in the Family Division, identified confusion in the earlier decision.

The final judgment was handed down on Tuesday by Mrs Justice Theis, who ruled that the boy should remain in Ghana and focus on completing his studies. She noted that returning to the UK prematurely would cause further disruption, both to his education and to his family life. “I am acutely aware that the conclusion I have reached does not accord with [his] wishes and how that will feel for him,” the judge said. “[He] has the talent, ability and intelligence to make this work together with his family. It will be difficult but they all have the common aim for [him] to return to live with his family.”

The boy, who holds both British and Ghanaian citizenship, is now enrolled in school in Ghana and preparing for his GCSEs. His solicitor, James Netto of the International Family Law Group, said his client “welcomes” the clarity provided by the ruling. “This has been an extremely difficult case on every level,” he said. “He never wanted to be in a position where he was obliged to bring court proceedings against his own parents, but their actions left him with no meaningful alternative. His position remains unchanged: he wants to return home.”

The boy’s mother told the court that she feared for her son’s safety if he were to return to London before completing his GCSEs. “It is really hard to be away from him,” she said. “I feared and continue to fear if he were to come back now, that he could end up dead. I know he does not see it like that…”

In her judgment, Mrs Justice Theis set out a “road map” for the boy’s eventual return to the UK, which includes ongoing family therapy funded by the local authority. She said the plan would be reviewed once he completes his GCSEs to determine whether he is ready to return. “The aim is setting out a road map and taking the necessary steps for [him] to return here after completing his GCSEs,” she said. “Whether that would take place will need to be reviewed nearer the time.”

The High Court ruling that the British boy must remain in Ghana until the end of his GCSEs underscores the balance judges must strike between a child’s wishes and their welfare. For now, the focus remains on his education, stability, and preparation for an eventual return home.

Hospitals across England are warning of a “deja-flu” winter as the number of flu deaths more than doubled last year and cases are expected to surge again. With infections likely to rise following the school half-term, health leaders are urging people to book their flu jab now to help prevent another devastating season.

New analysis of UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) data shows deaths from flu in England rose sharply last winter to 7,757, compared with 3,555 the year before. The impact on children was also severe, with deaths increasing by 56%, from 34 to 53. The rise came alongside lower vaccine uptake, adding pressure to already stretched hospitals.

During the last flu season, St George’s, Epsom and St He lier hospitals were among those hit hardest, facing a flood of flu cases as well as RSV, Covid and norovirus. The combination forced ward closures, overwhelmed Emergency Departments and added strain to NHS staff across the country. The hospital group is now preparing for another difficult winter as national data indicates flu season has begun earlier than usual.

Chief Nursing Officer Elaine Clancy said: “Last flu season was particularly nasty and we’re very concerned that this year could be even worse – we’re preparing for a spike of flu onto our wards. We see people dying every year from flu and sadly thousands more will likely this year. I strongly recommend booking your jab now, as it takes up to 14 days to fully kick-in.”

Hospitals fear “deja-flu” not only because of the numbers from last year but because the pattern of rising cases after school breaks appears to be repeating. Increased social contact during the half-term period is expected to contribute to a post-holiday rise in infections, similar to what was seen after the summer break. Public health officials say this could lead to another wave of severe illness and hospitalisations within weeks.

For parents like Amy Clare, from Sutton, the threat of flu is personal. Her five-week-old son, Jonah, became dangerously unwell with the virus during the winter of 2022 and was rushed to Epsom Hospital’s Emergency Department. “When the doctor told us we’d be spending Christmas in hospital, I was devastated. But he was in the best place to get better,” she said.

Amy described how quickly the situation escalated. “The staff immediately knew something wasn’t right and they were with us every step of the way, running tests and checking on Jonah constantly.” Jonah went home the day after Christmas, though he required daily treatment until the New Year. “The care Jonah received saved his life,” Amy said.

Stories like Jonah’s highlight the real risk that flu poses, particularly to young children, older people and those with underlying conditions. With hospitals fearing “deja-flu” as winter approaches, vaccination remains the best line of defence.

Pregnant women are being reminded that the flu jab can be given safely at any stage of pregnancy. It helps protect both mother and baby, reducing the risk of severe illness in the first few months after birth. Despite this, only about one in three pregnant women have taken up the offer in recent years, leaving many without vital protection.

The NHS is continuing to offer the flu vaccine free to people most at risk. This includes everyone aged 65 and over, those under 65 with certain long-term health conditions such as diabetes or heart problems, children aged 2 and 3, all primary school children and some in secondary school (Years 7 to 11). It is also available to residents in care homes, unpaid carers, those living with someone who has a weakened immune system and all frontline health and social care workers.

With warnings that flu season has already begun, health officials are urging the public not to wait. Booking the flu jab now could help ease the strain on hospitals and save lives in the months ahead. As England faces the prospect of another difficult winter, hospitals fear “deja-flu” — but timely vaccination could make all the difference.