"Crash for cash" scam: The main players

Trials involving 70 defendants began last year at Newcastle Crown Court, with 60 people convicted or pleading guilty to being involved - seven of whom were from the Wright family.

Family members included 40-year-old Paul Jonathon Wright who ran PJ Autos, a recovery, storage and vehicle hire business.

He is yet to be sentenced for his part in the scam which involved making false claims for storing damaged cars and hiring out replacement vehicles at up to £200 a day.

Also involved was his brother Alan who was jailed for four years after a trial last year.

Alan Wright, described as the head of the family, was found to have had four fake crashes in 10 months.

Another family member bought an Audi with 112,000 miles on the clock, staged an accident, and when he made a claim it was found that its mileage had dropped to 37,000, making it much more valuable.