AN IRANIAN man was stopped after driving around Worcester without a valid UK licence.

Ahad Beheshtsaraei, aged 29, of Orchard Street, off Bath Road, Worcester, was convicted in his absence of driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

He appeared before district judge Bruce Morgan for sentence.

Matt Dodson, prosecuting, said Beheshtsaraei was stopped by police on Rainbow Hill as he drove in the direction of Worcester city centre in a green Volvo S80 at around 1.30am on Tuesday, February 2.

He produced an Iranian driving licence to police but no record of him was held with the DVLA in the UK.

Beheshtsaraei, who was unrepresented at the hearing, told Mr Morgan he was a student who had been in the UK for five years.

He told Mr Morgan he had applied for an international licence but Mr Morgan asked him why he had not applied for a UK one.

Mr Morgan said: “As far as I can see you have been driving a motor vehicle and you can’t produce a driving licence.”

Beheshtsaraei told the court he was given an allowance of £20,000 by his parents. He was fined £125, ordered to pay £60 costs, a £15 victim surcharge and his licence will be endorsed with three penalty points.

Mr Morgan said: “If you don’t pay, the court has draconian powers, including having you arrested.”