Innocent woman loses her job when stranger frames her for speeding

An innocent woman lost her job after a complete stranger framed her for a speeding offence.

Sobia Iqbal, 39, from Bradford was given a suspended sentence and ordered to pay £500 in compensation to her victim after admitting perverting the course of justice.

Iqbal claimed the woman, who has not been publicly identified, was driving her car at 43mph in a 30mph zone in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, in May 2022.

Police said the victim admitted by post to being the driver and she was prosecuted, fined and points were added to her licence.

It is unclear why she admitted to an offence that she had not committed. 

The additional points meant her license was revoked, causing her to lose her job.

However, North Yorkshire police reinvestigated after suspicions were raised that false nominations had been made.

Footage taken from the camera van that captured the offence later proved Iqbal was behind the wheel of the vehicle.

She pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice and handed a suspended sentence at York Crown Court last Friday, police said.

She was also ordered to pay compensation to the victim of £500 and a surcharge of £128.

PC Michael Ray from North Yorkshire Police said: 'This is a case which involved Iqbal nominating a complete stranger as the driver of her own vehicle.

'Our thorough investigation demonstrates that we will take positive action against those who attempt to dishonestly avoid prosecution for traffic offences.

'I would like to use this example to remind anyone who is thinking about engaging in such behaviour that they are most likely to face far more serious consequences as a result.

'It also has a profound effect on the innocent victim who is caught up in the case.'

Do you know the victim? email tom.lawrence@mailonline.co.uk