Four individuals have been sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court for their involvement in a crash for cash scam attempt.

Arnold Flanagan took out an insurance policy with LV=GI in June 2016, but cancelled it on 23rd July 2016, saying that his vehicle had been stolen.

The insurer received a claim notification from a solicitor representing Levi Ireland, whose car was allegedly involved in a collision with Flanagan’s vehicle on the M62 near Runcorn on 21st July 2016. Ireland’s email address featuring on the claim matched the one used by Flanagan to take out his insurance policy.

Subsequent injury claims were made by Jamie Howard and Thomas Johnson, who said they were passengers in Flanagan’s car. The insurer made additional enquiries and uncovered social media links between the four men.

As a result, the personal injury claims made by Ireland, Howard and Johnson were rejected and the case was referred to IFED for investigation.

Flanagan received 22 months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, plus 180 hours of community service for conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation and fraud by false representation in relation to the inception of the policy.

The three other fraudsters pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation. Ireland was given 17 months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months and 180 hours of community service; Howard was sentenced to 17 months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months and 180 hours of community service and Johnson received an 18-month community order, 150 hours of community service and a 10-day rehabilitation activity requirement.

LV=’s general insurance fraud director, Clare Lunn said: “It’s encouraging to see these opportunist fraudsters receiving jail time and driving home the fact that fraudsters will not get away with trying to pull the wool over our eyes.

“Insurance exists to put things right for genuine customers when they go wrong, not to be abused by criminals looking to make a few quid for Christmas,” she added. “The company takes a firm line on defending any fraud it detects and we will always push for the strongest possible sentences.”

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