'Crash for cash' ringleader sentenced to prison

Credit: ITV Border

The Cumbrian man who masterminded a 'crash for cash' insurance scam has been sentenced to 7 years in prison.

Mark McCracken, originally from Wigton, was sentenced at Carlisle Crown Court for a car insurance scheme valued at more than £600,000.

Judge Peter Davies said he exploited the system to full effect making substantial profit.

He and his co-defendants invented accidents on roads around Wigton and Silloth which never happened before making insurance claims.

McCracken also used numerous fake identities during his fraud. Credit: ITV Border

Thirty-four of his co-accused, who have either pleaded guilty or been found guilty in court, are also being sentenced in the biggest case of its kind in Cumbria.