Bricklayer who insured van day to day admits 20 frauds

A BRICKLAYER who admitted making false statements to obtain insurance for his van has been ordered to carry out unpaid work in the community.

Martin William Jones must undertake 150 hours of work and pay £170 in costs after admitting 20 offences when he appeared before magistrates at Caernarfon.

The court heard he bought motor insurance for his Transit van on a day-to-day basis as he could not afford an annual policy.

But the 32-year-old, of Maesgeirchen, Bangor, failed to disclose relevant criminal convictions when he made the applications for cover.

The court also ordered Jones to attended 12 days of rehabilitation activity as directed by the Probation Service.

Jones’ court appearance came as part of a North Wales Police initiative to disrupt criminal activity.

Operation Confine, led by the Roads Policing Unit, has resulted in more than 300 insurance policies being cancelled.

Chief Inspector Dave Cust said the initiative focuses on “application fraud” where they suspect an individual hasn’t disclosed required material information.

He said: “When we make enquires into whether an individual has disclosed information such as unspent motoring or criminal convictions, depending on what a particular company asks, we’re not disclosing anything other than what the policy holder should have told them.

“Where it comes to light they haven’t disclosed what they should the insurance company will often then take the lead and in a majority of cases, a policy cancellation may be enough.

“Where there is a multiple pattern of offending, we will prosecute.

“The insurance industry is fully supportive as they are being made aware of the scale of the issue.

“Trade policies for instance are also being tackled with more effectiveness. We have now had 11 convictions in court under Op Confine: sentences have included custodial and disqualifications.”