Driver's licence fakers get home detention

Two men who faked Australian documents to create fraudulent Kiwi driving licences have been sentenced to six months' home detention.

Automobile Association driver licensing employee Phillip Nielsen and second-hand car dealer Sasa Esekielu were sentenced in the Manukau District Court last Tuesday.

The South Auckland men had earlier pleaded guilty to 20 charges of using forged documents.

The New Zealand Transport Authority prosecuted the men, who together carried out fraudulent overseas licence conversions between October 2008 and February last year.

Spokesman Andrew Knackstedt said the men created Australian driver licence numbers and then applied to convert overseas driver licences with the false numbers. At least 30 fraudulent driver licences were issued.

"In sentencing the pair, the judge made reference to the corruption involved and the breach of integrity of the New Zealand Driver Licence system," Knackstedt said.

An NZTA manager, John Doesburg, said the agency was pleased the courts had recognised the seriousness of the offending and hoped the sentences would deter others.

"We need to know that everyone driving on our roads has earned the right and is qualified to do so."

Doesburg said the AA supported the prosecution.

Nielsen is no longer working for the AA.