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An Urdu translator has been jailed after helping prospective HGV and bus drivers cheat their way through theory tests.

Muhammed Saeed helped candidates pass by putting the Urdu word for 'you' next to correct answers.

Officials at the Driving Standards Agency became suspicious after demand for the 40-year-old's service rocketed and he represented trucker hopefuls from as far as Kent, Luton and Bradford.

Three of his clients had failed more than 15 theory tests − with one having flunked 25 times − before turning to Saeed for help.

An independent interpreter examined recordings of Saeed’s translations and found he used an Urdu word meaning ‘you’ to highlight the answers, the Birmingham Mail reports.

Saeed was arrested at the Birmingham test centre in Dale End on July 10 last year and admitted fraud.

At Birmingham Crown Court Saeed was jailed for two years after pleading guilty to six counts of fraud.

The driving licences of Saeed’s 239 clients − dating back to the first voiceover he provided in June 2008 − have been revoked on road safety grounds and all will have to re-apply for licences and re-take theory tests.

It is understood Saeed, of Alum Rock, Birmingham, charged £120 for his cheat-service.

Investigating officer DC Mark Calvert said: “It seems Saeed was establishing a reputation as a theory test ‘fixer’ in the Muslim community for anyone struggling to pass.

“At the start of each test translators have to read out a vow which states ‘I confirm I will not do anything to affect the integrity of the test and understand that by assisting a candidate I may be committing a criminal offence’.

“He obviously thought it was easy money and that, as the cheat’s code was in Urdu, assumed the DSA and police would be oblivious to his scheme. He was wrong and is now paying the price for his con.”

Foreign language support on driving theory and practical tests was axed in April this year partly because the DSA had uncovered numerous cases of cheating on translator tests.

Last year a Mandarin interpreter from Perry Barr was jailed after admitting a theory test cheat scam that was believed to have netted £100,000. It was the first time a translator has been jailed for DSA fraud.