By Eimear Dodd
A man and a woman have both received prison sentences for their roles in a “serious criminal enterprise” in which they posed as learner drivers and sat the driver theory test on behalf of others.
Alina Glont (42) of Charlestown Place, Finglas, Dublin 11 and Daniel Stepien (29) with an address at Annfield Court, Clonsilla, Dublin 15 both pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to two counts of conspiracy.
The offences took place on dates between September 2018 and June 2021.
The court previously heard that gardai have identified 124 incidents where someone from a group of five individuals, including the two defendants, went to a test centre and took the theory test on behalf of third parties. Stepien sat 68 theory tests with Glont completing 20.
While separate investigations are ongoing, some third parties have reported paying amounts between €1,000 and €2,000 to the group, the court was told.
After hearing the facts of the case on Wednesday, Judge Martin Nolan adjourned the case overnight to consider sentencing.
On Thursday, Judge Nolan said the defendants were “part of a conspiracy” to do the driving theory test for “third parties who did not do it”.
He said the court “must infer those parties had no great understanding of English language and wished to get someone else to do test”.
He said this was a “serious criminal enterprise, and serious profits were made,” which he estimated to be around €100,000.
“All services given by the State have to be open to people to take advantage of and therefore are open to fraud,” the judge said.
Judge Nolan noted the defendants’ guilty pleas, personal circumstances, and previous convictions, which he described as relevant.
He said their behaviour was “quite serious”.
Judge Nolan said Stepien was “extensively involved” but had a lesser role than other parties. He handed him a 32-month prison sentence, backdated to December 19, when he entered his guilty plea.
He said the court “accepted to some extent” that Glont was acting under the control of her ex-partner and that “there was some credence” to the “quasi-duress” submission made on her behalf.
But, he said Glont was an “accomplished”, “mature woman in her 30s” when she involved herself in this “serious escapade” and imposed a two-and-a-half year sentence.
Detective Garda Barry Cormack told Kieran Kelly BL, prosecuting, that the two accused were part of a group of five individuals involved in a scheme to take driver theory tests on behalf of third parties.
He told the court that information was obtained that third parties contacted the group, and then arrangements were made for one of the group to pose as a learner driver at a theory test centre to sit the test using a computerised system.
When the theory test was completed successfully, a pass certificate would be issued, which could be used by a third party to apply for a driving test.
After receiving confidential information, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) started its own investigation in January 2021. The following June, the RSA reported 36 potential impersonations to the gardai.
Gardai searched Glont’s home and found seven prepaid debit cards registered with false names and addresses. These cards were used to book over 100 theory tests.
Driver theory test books and sums of cash in sterling and euro were also recovered and Glont’s phone was seized.
The court heard nothing of probative value was obtained when Glont was first interviewed by gardai in 2021.
When interviewed for a second time in 2023, she admitted her role and was cooperative with the investigation. She told gardai she booked the tests and would direct Stepien to attend certain tests.
Stepien was also interviewed, but nothing of evidential value was obtained. The court heard evidence that he was directed by others and is considered by gardai to be at the lowest rung of the hierarchy.
Det Gda McCormack said gardai have suspicions about the other members of the group, but they are not before the courts.
Glont has five previous convictions, including handling stolen property and using a false instrument.
Stepien has 30 previous convictions, including deception, theft, and road traffic offences.
In November 2022, he was jailed for three and half years after pleading guilty to making a demand with menace. He and two other men blackmailed a teenager by threatening to disclose explicit photographs from her “OnlyFans” account to her family and friends if she didn’t hand over €10,000.
Stepien currently has an earliest release date of June 2025.
Det Gda Cormack agreed with counsel for both accused that their pleas were beneficial to the prosecution.
He agreed with Simon Matthews BL, defending Stepien, that his client was paid low amounts for his involvement, receiving €150 per test, and was at the lowest rung of the ladder.
It was further accepted that Stepien told gardai he was struggling with gambling and substance addiction issues at the time and that it was clear that photos on theory test certificates were of the defendant.
Det Gda Cormack accepted a suggestion from counsel representing Glont that her ex-partner is a person of interest in the investigation and that he left the jurisdiction around the time she was first arrested in 2021.
He further agreed that Glont has not come to garda attention since June 2021.
It was further accepted that Glont outlined that her ex-partner was violent and coercive when interviewed by gardai for a second time in 2023.
Det Gda Cormack also agreed with counsel for Glont that Stepien told gardai Glont’s ex-partner got him involved in the scheme and wouldn’t allow him to stop.
Mr Matthews asked the court to take into consideration his client’s guilty plea, the contents of a governor’s report and clean urine analysis.
He said Stepien is doing well in custody and has enhanced prisoner status. Counsel said the offending in this case took place around the same time as the offence for which Stepien is currently in custody.
Stepien’s father passed away in early 2021, and he arranged the funeral. He also had gambling debts of €10,000 at this time. He has one young child and has a good work history.
A number of references and an offer of work upon his release were also handed to the court. Mr Matthews said his client outlines in a letter to the court that he is addressing his gambling and substance addiction issues while in custody.
Mr Matthews said his client accepts responsibility for his actions and has taken significant steps to rehabilitate while in custody. He asked the court to give Stepien a chance.
Counsel asked the court to take into account his client’s early guilty plea, her personal circumstances and all other available mitigation.
Counsel for Glont asked the court to “find truth in her assertions of violence and coercion” by her ex-partner.
He suggested her offending took place during a period when her ex-partner was “controlling her, she was offending on his behalf and under his control”.
He submitted that her behaviour has been “strikingly different” since her ex-partner left the jurisdiction and she has “thrived”, taking up work, setting up her own business and completing further education courses.
A number of references were handed in to the court from Glont’s family members along with her former workplace. Glont set up a chauffeur business after obtaining her PSV and bus driving licence and has two children.