Uber driver Juma Ali Omar, pictured outside Westminster Magistrates’ Court this morning, is accused of using fake documents to obtain a private hire licence and dangerous driving
An Uber driver was allegedly using false documents in order to work when he ‘ploughed into a group of people outside the Natural History museum’, leaving 11 injured.
Juma Ali Omar allegedly mounted the busy pavement at around 2.20pm in the London tourist hotspot, colliding with two cars and then striking pedestrians.
The 47-year-old, who was working at the time of the collision, was charged with dangerous driving and having a fake passport, driving licence and private taxi hire licence.
Eleven people suffered non-life threatening injuries in the collision, involving the Black Toyota Prius, in South Kensington, west London, on October 7 last year.
Nigerian-born Omar was previously charged with dangerous driving, using a motor vehicle without third party insurance and driving without a licence.
At Westminster Magistrates’ Court today, another charge of possessing a false passport, driving license and a Public Carriage Office licence to prove his identify in order to get a private hire licence was added to the rap sheet.
Omar appeared in the dock wearing a blue pinstripe suit and white shirt and was accompanied by his family who sat in the public gallery.
Omar, pictured left and right outside the court today, is alleged to have ploughed into 11 people outside the Natural History Museum on October 7 last year
The incident sparked fears it was a terror attack in the wake of the London Bridge and Westminster outrages last year
He did not enter any pleas to the four charges and spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth, address and nationality.
Deputy District Judge Margaret Dodd released him on bail ahead of his next court date.
She said: ‘I understand from the documents that the manner of the driving is under dispute.
Members of the public, including Pixie Lott’s boyfriend Oliver Cheshire, helped pin a man to the ground following the incident
The scene outside the Natural History Museum last October after a car mounted the pavement outside the popular tourist spot
London was on lockdown as armed police swooped on the South Kensington museum amid fears of a terrorist attack
‘These matters cannot be dealt with by this court so it will be sent to crown court.
‘I grant you bail but you must attend court when you are asked.’
Omar, of Barking, east London, will next appear at Isleworth Crown Court on June 1 to enter his pleas.
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