Innocent woman lost her job after being framed for speeding by a 'complete stranger'

A woman lost her job after a complete stranger framed her for a speeding offence - Iqbal claimed the stranger was driving her car at 43mph in a 30 zone in Harrogate, North Yorks.

When Sobia Iqbal was caught speeding, she decided to frame a complete stranger for the crime.

The innocent woman, who already had the maximum amount of points a driver can have on their licence, was disqualified from driving as a result of Sobia’s fraud.

Iqbal, 39, claimed the unidentified woman was driving her car at 43mph in a 30 zone in Harrogate, North Yorks., in May 2022.

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

Unfortunately, because the woman had her licence revoked as a result of the claims, she also ended up losing 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.”