A gang from Weston-super-Mare pocketed thousands of pounds in insurance payouts when they made false claims for the theft of non-existent motorbikes, a court heard.
Five people pleaded guilty to fraud charges. They were: Andrew Hall, aged 34, of Brompton Road, Oldmixon; Jody Cowell, 28, of Monkton Avenue, Weston; Duane Long, 20, of Thirlmere Road, Weston; Matthew Potter, 25, of Lonsdale Avenue, Weston; and Liam Lees, 22, of Locking Road, Weston.Judge Jamie Tabor QC handed Long a five-month curfew between 8pm and 6am as well as 40 hours unpaid work and told him to pay £20 a week compensation for a year.
The judge handed Cowell a three-month curfew and told her to pay £10 a week for a year. Hall was given a six-month curfew and told to pay £10 a week compensation for two years.He also gave Potter a month-long curfew and Lees a three-month curfew.
James Ward, prosecuting, said Weston-super-Mare based Carole Nash Insurance Limited was one of the first insurance brokers in the country to offer insurance for off-road bikes.The court heard the underwriters for all policies taken out through Carole Nash was a Portsmouth-based company called Groupama.
Mr Ward said: "The police became concerned at what appeared to be the organised theft of off-road bikes at addresses in and around the Bournville estate in Weston-super-Mare.
"Detective Constable James Tubby investigated and rapidly became convinced that he was investigating an insurance swindle relating to claims for non-existent off-road motorbikes rather than the thefts of such machines.
"The insurers Groupama had no idea that they were paying out on fraudulent claims."Mr Ward said the instigator of the scam appeared to be Glen Lord, who received £7,700 in false claims.
He was arrested by DC Tubby, denied wrong doing and then committed suicide by hanging himself.Mr Ward told the court: "DC Tubby is satisfied that Lord was the common denominator and that all the defendants were either friendly with him or knew him quite well.
"Lord shared his knowledge on how to make a successful fraudulent claim."Mr Ward said Long received cheques for £3,700 and £4,000 in two false claims, the first done on behalf of another and the second done for himself after he'd seen how easy it was.
Cowell received £3,400 in a false claim, pocketing a reward of £1,000, the court heard. Hall was sent cheques totalling £8,400 following two fake claims and pocketed £3,000.Mr Ward added Potter did not actually make a claim because police nipped his case in the bud but he would have stood to get £1,000.
Lees reported that his bike had been stolen but again an actual claim was nipped in the bud and he said he was going to be given a quad bike if the scam had worked.Robin Shellard, defending Long, said his client was keen to work having formed a relationship with a woman with children.
Oliver Willmott, defending Cowell, suggested a curfew could be handed to her, and Catherine Spedding, defending Hall, said he had gone through severe financial stress and used the money he gained to pay off a credit card bill.
Nicholas Fridd, defending Potter, said his client didn't get a penny because he pulled out of the swindle, and Charles Row, defending Lees, said his client had surrendered himself to police when the game was up.
Source: http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/news/Gang-Weston-g
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