Pair jailed in bus crash scam
Norwich Evening News 24 / 5th May 2008
Two Norfolk men who set up a bogus minibus accident to try and make £32,200 in a false insurance claim have been jailed.

Norwich Crown Court heard that Michael Pilgrim, 34, from Boot Binders Road, in Norwich, and Nicolas Belgrave, 30, from Eastgate, in Shipdham, got the idea for the fake accident from a television programme.

They hired a minibus, recruited volunteers with the promise of £500 to £2,000 payment and then hired a woman to write out a false accident report for the fictitious crash.

Pilgrim and Belgrave, who both work as claim negotiators and investigators, with salaries at the £20,000 mark, admitted conspiracy to defraud between January 1, 2004 and December 31, 2004.

Belgrave was jailed for three months and Pilgrim, who has one previous offence for dishonesty, was sent to prison for four months.

In mitigation, Stephen Spence, defending, said the pair had received no money for the crime. He added: “They are remorseful and are still in employment. It was not a large claim and those taking part were to get only a few hundred pounds.

“They put no real thought into the consequences. They are hard working decent young men and this was out of character.”

The accident never happened and was discovered before it was due to take place in Dereham, the court heard.

A sketch of the minibus seating plan was found with 11 people arrested for making false claims. All were cautioned.

Nick Methold, prosecuting, said that the pair has planned the £32,200 insurance claim with the intention of saying the money was needed to cover the cost of having inspectors in for the accident.

Judge Simon Barham said: “You persuaded people to make false claims. This was not just a minor matter and did not just involve you two. Normally the sentence would be in years rather than a matter of months. The scheme however failed but there must be immediate prison sentences to deter others.

“You both have jobs and families so the sentences will be short