Claim exposed as fraud after suffering wedding party were filmed dancing and celebrating at reception
Three people face jail time and substantial legal costs after video evidence revealed that their compensation claim was a scam.
Andrew Singh, 26, his parents and dozens of relatives lodged compensation claims against a Bury-based coach company. One of the coaches they were travelling in was involved in a collision with another vehicle en route to Mr Singh’s wedding in Preston, Lancashire in July 2004. Later another coach they had hired clipped a wall in a car park. Altogether 73 personal injury claims were made, with claimants seeking damages against Hollins Travel for whiplash and other injuries.
However the claim soon began to unravel after video footage from the wedding reception – which went ahead unaffected later that day – revealed many of the supposed sufferers celebrating and dancing.
Tony, the best man, claimed to have badly hurt his wrist in the road accident, but was seen in the video clapping along to music. Mr Singh’s mother had testified that she had suffered a painful injury to her shoulder, but was caught on camera dancing and lifting her arms in the air. The video also showed footage of the groom dancing, waving his arms around and at one point being carried aloft by some of the other guests.
When it transpired that Mr Singh and his father were not even riding in the first coach that crashed, the judge threw out their claims and a criminal investigation was launched.
Mr Singh and his parents, all of Manchester, eventually pleaded guilty to committing perjury and conspiracy to defraud. They each face one year in jail and over £70,000 in costs. Judge David Heaton QC said that he wanted the sentence to act as a deterrent to other potential fraudsters.
“Offences of this type are far too serious to warrant anything other than an immediate custodial sentence,” he said. “Insurance companies in this country are highly vulnerable to the making of fraudulent claims.”
It also emerged that Mr Singh’s bride has subsequently left him after giving evidence against him at the trial.