ANOTHER 15 people from Gwent and beyond denied conspiracy in an alleged ‘crash for cash’ scam at Newport Crown court yesterday.

The defendants denied conspiracy to defraud – it is claimed that between July 1, 2009 and December 31, 2011, they conspired with others to defraud companies involved in the insurance industry by making and submitting false claims.

The charge alleges motor vehicles were taken to a garage known as both St David’s Accident Repair Centre and Easifix, in Blackwood, it is said the claims contained false representation.

Those who pleaded not guilty were: Richard Knight 41, of Abernant Road, Blackwood, Bethan Palmer 24, of Central Avenue, Newport, Kelly Evans 34, of Hill View, Blackwood, Stephen Brooks 44, of Lavender Grove, Cardiff, Reon Davis 60, of Glan Islwyn, Blackwood, Lynne Evans 52, of George Street, Bargoed, Neil Evans 36 of High Street, Ferndale, Jamie Gray 25, of no fixed abode, Ross Mazurczak 32, of Church Street, Bargoed, Vicky Morgan 26, of Elm Drive, Newport, Florence Phillips 71, of St Gwladys Avenue, Bargoed, Roger Phillips 43, of Heol Brychan, Bargoed, Amy Prosser 28, of Gelligroes Road, Blackwood, Dean Veall 29, of Crane House, London and Rachel Veall 27, of South Street, Bargoed.

Palmer also denied perverting the course of justice with regard to a statement given to police.

In October of last year, 86 people were charged as a result of Gwent Police’s Operation Dino, which spent two years investigating an alleged scheme involving ‘crashes for cash’, in which accidents were allegedly staged to defraud insurance companies.

Earlier this week, 52 other defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.

Judge Daniel Williams granted all defendants unconditional bail.

The next court hearing relating to the case will be in June.