A MAN who was unaware he was not allowed to drive on his Iraqi licence has been fined £50.

Worcester magistrates heard yesterday how Aram Rostam, aged 28, had bought a BMW car on Friday, June 13 - his girlfriend's birthday.

Despite not having a licence or insurance, he had taken the car out for a drive "in the heat of the moment".

Paul Whitfield, prosecuting, said police had stopped Mr Rostam in Whittington, near Worcester, the same day.

He said Mr Rostam, of Cranham Drive, Warndon, Worcester, had submitted a guilty plea by post to driving without a licence and insurance.

Sarah Brady, defending, said English was not Mr Rostam's first language and he was not aware he was not entitled to drive on his Iraqi licence.

He had been living in England for three years.

He did, however, "fully accept" his error with regard to driving without insurance.

Insured

"He bought the BMW the same day - his partner's birthday - for £600, and the purchase was related to the birthday," said Mrs Brady.

"He knew he wasn't insured but he took it for a drive in the heat of the moment. He was not aware, however, he was not entitled to drive on his Iraqi licence."

She said Mr Rostam worked in a cake factory, in Broadheath, near Worcester, and brought home about £170 a week. He had no dependants.

Deputy district judge Roger Lowe said he accepted there had been a "misunderstanding" with regard to the license, but driving without insurance was a serious offence.

He fined Mr Rostam £50 for driving without a licence and £150 for driving without insurance, as well as endorsing any future licence with seven penalty points.

He also ordered Mr Rostam to pay £65 prosecution costs.