A Penrith man who admitted committing fraud by dishonestly claiming to be a registered driving instructor has been ordered to pay £3,000 court costs after initially denying the offence. Mark Wayne Brookes, 56, of Brentfield Way, originally pleaded not guilty but later changed his plea. Brookes admitted that between October 31 2023 and February 7 2024, he dishonestly made a false representation by purporting to be an approved driving instructor. A deputy district judge sitting at Carlisle Magistrates’ Court ordered that Brookes must carry out 54 hours of unpaid work within the next 12 months as part of a community order. Brookes must also pay court costs of £3,000, compensation of £390 and a victim surcharge of £114. Brookes was brought to court as part of a prosecution by the DVSA.