Honeymoon over for wedding-day insurance cheats

by David Masters

Story link: Honeymoon over for wedding-day insurance cheats

A bridegroom has been jailed for twelve months for attempted insurance fraud on his wedding day.

Andrew Singh, 26, was sentenced with his parents at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court for making exaggerated insurance claims after wedding coaches booked to transport guests on his wedding day were involved in two collisions.

Graham Singh, 53, and Niramella Singh, 49, also received 12 month sentences.

The family had booked three coaches with Bury-based Hollins Travel for Andrew Singh’s wedding day in July 2004.

One coach was involved in a collision with a Toyota Celica on route to the wedding, whilst another collided with a wall at Chipping Village Hall car park.

Andrew and Graham Singh, along with 70 others, took legal action against Hollins, claiming injuries including whiplash.

However, they were caught out by a video showing them dancing hours after the accident.

They had submitted the wedding video as evidence that they were on board the coaches during the collisions, although in truth only other wedding guests were on the coaches.

Their attempt to claim £1,500 each for their injuries were dismissed by the civil court, and they were ordered to pay £73,000 in court costs.

The case was then passed to the police for a criminal investigation.

DC Chris Harrison, speaking after the Singhs were sentenced, said: “These claims may well have caused Hollins, a small company, to go bust.

“This was not only an attempt to make a false insurance claim for money; this was also an insult to the civil courts system.

“These family members knowingly lied during a civil hearing in front of a judge.

“False insurance claims are criminal, fraudulent offences.

“The Singh family is lucky that the sentence was not more severe, as new legislation does not apply to this case.

“Now, if proven, even the intention to defraud is a punishable offence.”