Hatice Sadir (pictured leaving London Magistrates' Court today) hid a bluetooth device under a headscarf

A learner driver who spoke little English tried to cheat on her theory test by hiding a Bluetooth headset under a specially made hijab, a court heard.

Hatice Sadir, 41, was fed the right answers by a 'facilitator' she planned to pay £300 but officials questioned her after the exam when they found the concealed device.

The Turkish mother of three was caught out at the Southwark Theory Test Centre on January 9 last year, prosecutor Rajesh Pabary told City of London Magistrates' Court.

'A bluetooth receiver was found in her possession used for the purposes of fraud related to a driving theory test,' he said.

'One has to book a theory test on a specific date at the test centre and provide personal details such as email address, date of birth and address.

'During the course of booking, a voice over can be booked in English or Welsh - if a person has difficulty reading they can request a voiceover.

'They are given a set of headphones when they arrive at the centre and the questions are read aloud. The person attending is not allowed assistance during the test.'

Hatice Sadir admitted fraud at City of London Magistrates' Court (pictured) after she had answers to the theory test fed to her

Sadir hid a bluetooth device under her headscarf to cheat on the exam at Southwark Theory Test Centre (pictured) in south London

Learner driver, 29, used Bluetooth headset and human ‘plant’ to cheat written test A woman has appeared in court for using a Bluetooth headset and a human ‘plant’ to cheat and get answers for the written part of her driving test. Ipswich Crown Court heard told how Kewstan Abdulqadir, 29, smuggled a phone into the test centre and paid a man between £250 and £300 to stand outside and secretly relay answers to test questions to her phone via Bluetooth. Abdulqadir, of Nicholson Close, Ipswich, admitted possessing a device for the use of fraud. She got a 12 month prison sentence, suspended for two years, a 13 week curfew and 150 hours unpaid work. She was also ordered to pay £210 costs. An earlier hearing at Suffolk Magistrates’ Court heard that on September 14, 2017, she was due to take a driving theory exam at Ipswich test centre after having failed several previous tests. At the centre, she signed an agreement to take the test fairly and to turn off any electronic devices, placing them in a locker provided. She was asked to turn out her pockets and an examiner looked inside her headwear to check for any device. The court heard that, inside the test room, she was seen on CCTV taking out a small object from inside her dress and appeared to connect it to the Bluetooth device, at which point the alarm was raised. Challenged by examiners, she admitted using the device to help with the test. Interviewed by police, she said she had failed her previous attempts and needed to pass so that she could take her two children to nursery. She admitted buying a phone especially for the cheating plan. Kashif Khan, prosecuting, said the crime was ‘sophisticated’ with a lot of forethought and planning. Had she passed the test and driven when she had not reached the required standard, she would have put other road users’ lives at risk. Advertisement

After several cancellations Sadir's theory test was scheduled at Southwark for 9 January 2018 and a 'voice over' was requested.

'When she attended the centre she was wearing a big head scarf,' said Mr Pabary. 'She was recognised by a member of staff from two weeks before - on the previous occasion she was not wearing a headscarf.

How do Bluetooth cheats beat the driving theory test? The driving theory test has two parts, the first of which involves a series of multiple choice questions about the Highway Code. For example: You've been involved in an argument that has made you feel angry. What should you do before starting your journey? Open a window

Turn on your radio

Have an alcoholic drink

Calm down Other questions give you examples of common signs or road markings you might encounter while driving, or they may provide you with scenarios and ask you how you should react. For the scam, the cheater has to use tiny Bluetooth earpieces linked to a hidden mobile phone. They can then hear someone from outside the test centre telling them information to help them pass the test. The Bluetooth devices are generally hidden in glasses, headbands and hair-clips as they can be positioned over the ears with ease. Test takers don't usually wear headphones, but you are allowed to request them to complete the test with a voiceover if you have reading difficulties, so in some cases cheaters will use these to hide their Bluetooth device. Advertisement

'This, coupled with the fact that she spoke very little English, aroused suspicion. She answered the questions very fast and the test was successfully passed.'

After the test Sadir was confronted by staff, who searched her headscarf and found the Bluetooth device, City of London Magistrates' court heard.

Mr Pabary explained that the bluetooth receiver connected her phone to a 'facilitator who overhears the questions being read and then provides the answers. The usual fee for this type of service is between £400 and £800.'

Sadir admitted using the device to cheat on the test, but refused to reveal the identity of the facilitator.

'She admitted she was provided a specifically adapted scarf and was going to pay £300 for the service,' said Mr Pabary.

'The test was booked some distance away from where she resided - this is usually done to avoid detection.

'This offence deals with potential risk. Ms Sadir could have obtained a full UK driving licence.

'If the device had not been found she would have gone on to take and potentially pass a practical test.

'There is a risk to other road users from someone who does not understand the rules and regulations of the road.

'It undermines the integrity of the test - people who use the UK roads expect to share the road with competent drivers.

Magistrate Jacqueline Jenkins told Sadir: 'We see this as a serious matter and one that has passed the custody threshold.

'However, since you pleaded guilty at the first opportunity, we will suspend the sentence for 12 months.'

Sadir, of Kidbrooke, southeast London, admitted fraud and was sentenced to 20 weeks jail suspended for 12 months. She was also ordered to pay £2,115 in costs.