'uber driver dropped a cigarette – then i got letter that tore my life apart'

HEARTBROKEN ABAR AHMED WAS LEFT STUNNED AFTER RECEIVING A LETTER FROM MANCHESTER COUNCIL GIVING HIM A WHOPPING FINE FOR AN OFFENCE HE SAYS HE DIDN'T COMMIT - IT HAS PUT HIS FAMILY

THROUGH HELL DAVID RIVERS Sport Brand Content Editor , AMY WALKER and DAVID RIVERS 13:24, 29 May 2025Updated 13:29, 29 May 2025 A devastated Manchester dad has been slapped with a huge fine

for dropping a cigarette in the street, but he and his family insist it wasn't him. Heartbroken Abrar Ahmed, from Crumpsall, couldn't believe his eyes when he saw a letter from

Manchester council in March. It told him he was being fined £433 for littering. Mr Ahmed then got in touch with the council having not been in the area and being a non-smoker. He requested

access to the body-worn footage from an officer, and it emerged it was not him. But the case was adjourned because an appropriate interpreter had not been provided, meaning the fine has

remained. Speaking on his behalf due to a language barrier, Mr Ahmed’s brother-in-law Zahor Hussain told Manchester Evening News: “His elder brother passed away from cancer in December, he’s

gone through absolute hell and back, as have the rest of our family. “This is not something he needs and he is at the end of his tether. Someone who is not a criminal, now has to go before

the court. They are pursuing the wrong person.” In the footage, the individual tells the enforcement officer that his name is ‘Abrar Ahmed’ and gives the same date of birth, yet gives an

address in Bury. He also tells them he is a taxi driver and is seen to step out of the driver’s seat of an Uber. Article continues below Mr Hussain said: “He doesn’t smoke, he is a business

manager and runs a food manufacturing business. This person was a taxi driver, and had parked up near to the Uber office. “My brother-in-law has difficulties speaking English. This man is

speaking English, they are speaking over each other. He gave the same name and date of birth as Abrar, but gave an address in Bury. “The letter then came here, to my brother-in-law’s

address. He has never lived in Bury. The man in the footage is not my brother in law.” As a result, Mr Ahmed has been suffering with his mental health. “We feel like we have gone to hell and

back. We shouldn’t have to do this,” he said. The family have since sent the investigations team evidence including images of the footage and Mr Ahmed. “We are extremely anxious and have

been left with mental anguish and distress. We don’t know what to do,” Mr Hussain added. A hearing at Tameside Magistrates Court was convened to withdraw the conviction but the hearing had

to be adjourned due to issues providing an appropriate interpreter by the court. A further hearing has been planned in June to formally withdraw the fine. “We are not getting anywhere and it

feels like smashing my head against a brick wall. It is a wrongful conviction - clearly they are two different individuals. We are being passed from pillar to post. How is that justified?,”

said Mr Hussain. A Manchester City Council spokesperson said: "We have been made aware of a case of mistaken identity involving Mr Abrar Ahmed who was fined for littering a cigarette

after another individual allegedly provided false details to an enforcement officer. "Mr Ahmed has since provided evidence that suggests he was not at fault and our investigation

officers have reopened the case to withdraw the fine as soon as possible through the courts. Article continues below "We want to sincerely apologise to Mr Ahmed and his family for the

distress caused by this incident and investigations are ongoing to locate the real suspect." Uber has been approached for comment.