Five more guilty in UK's biggest car insurance fraud investigation

The five people were found guilty at Cardiff Crown Court. Credit: PA

Five people have been found guilty of making six insurance claims worth £144,000.

They were found guilty at Cardiff Crown Court in what has been considered the biggest car insurance fraud investigation in the UK.

Over 80 people have so far been convicted in the scam, which has revolved around the deliberate damaging of vehicles.

Two others were found not guilty.

CCTV footage showed a Land Rover Discovery being driven into a forklift truck in the garage yard. Credit: Gwent Police

The group in total cost have cost the insurance industry nearly £800,000, with the operation based out of a garage in Blackwood known as both St David's Crash Repair and Easifix.

Those found guilty:

  • Bethan Palmer, 26, from Newport, guilty of conspiracy to defraud and perverting the course of justice.

  • Stephen Pegram, 49, from Blackwood, guilty of conspiracy to defraud.

  • Nicola Cook, 41, from Hengoed, guilty of conspiracy to defraud.

  • Nicola Rees, 48, from Bargoed, Caerphilly County, guilty of conspiracy to defraud.

  • Stephen Brooks, 45, from Llanedeyrn, Cardiff, guilty of conspiracy to defraud.

Those found not guilty:

  • Adam Fear, 27, from Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taff, not guilty of conspiracy to defraud.

  • Matthew Davies, 33, from Pontypridd, not guilty of conspiracy to defraud.

Reacting to the convictions, the Crown Prosecution Service said the case has been 'unprecedented' in terms of its complexity and the number of people involved.