Eighty-one guilty of huge Gwent crash for cash scam

FIVE people have been found guilty of being part of a huge 'crash for cash' style insurance scam, signalling the end of Gwent Police's operation.

After less than two hours deliberating their verdict, a jury at Cardiff Crown Court found five people guilty and two not guilty.

Nicola Cook, of Alexandra Road, Hengoed, Nicola Rees, of Park Road, Bargoed, Stephen Pegram, Stephen Brooks and Bethan Palmer were all convicted. Crying was heard from the dock as the jury foreman gave their verdicts.

Two men, Adam Fear and Matthew Davies, were also on trial but were found not guilty.

Following today's verdict, the Argus can now report the other sentences relating to the scam including the family at the centre of the £600,000 scam and their co-defendant, who were locked up for a total of 25 years back in January.

Reporting restrictions have now been lifted enabling the media to report the sentences of all 84 defendants, of which 81 were either found guilty or admitted their guilt.

Five members of the Yandell family were found guilty of conspiracy to defraud after a three-and-a-half year investigation into their bogus insurance claims.

The family faked claims for a total of 28 car crashes, 27 of which did not take place at all, between 2009 and 2011.

They were found guilty following a seven-week trial at Cardiff Crown Court and were sentenced on January 26 after spending last Christmas in custody.

Judge David Williams said the family were “motivated by the expectation of substantial financial gain” with two of them setting up the Easifix garage in Pengam, which was at the centre of the scam, as a “vehicle for fraud”.

Insurance companies paid out a total of £600,000 to defendants, lawyers and doctors involved in the claims for the 28 crashes, with a potential loss of £750,000.

Byron Yandell, 31, of Queen’s Road, New Tredegar and his father Peter Yandell, 52, of Wheatley Place, Blackwood were each given six-year sentences for the leading roles they played in the scam as owners of Easifix.

Byron (pictured above) was found guilty on all 28 counts with his father being found guilty of 27.

Byron’s ex-wife Rachel Yandell (pictured below), 30, of Queen’s Road, New Tredegar, was jailed for five years for her part processing claims for all 28 crashes.

Judge Williams added that the jury saw her ability to tell “an endless number of lies” when she gave evidence during the trial.

Peter’s wife Michelle Yandell, 52, of Wheatley Place, Blackwood, was sentenced to two years behind bars for her part in two of the faked crashes while Gavin Yandell, 30, of Clos Claerwen, Blackwood, was sentenced to three years for three incidents.

Co-defendant Jennifer Cosh, 39, of Pontygwindy Road, Caerphilly, was sentenced to three years in custody after claiming to be a passenger and a driver in two of the crashes and allowing her car to be used in a third.

Cosh pleaded guilty part-way through the trial.

Another defendant Dean Cronin, 40, Marloes Road, Cardiff, avoided jail after admitting his involvement in one of the incidents. He was handed a16-month suspended sentence and 200 hours of unpaid community work.

Judge Daniel Williams told the court in January: “Crash for cash claims have become a blight across the UK. Hundreds of millions of pounds are paid out by insurance companies in respect of bogus claims each year.”

In 2012, Judge Williams said around £392 million was paid out by insurance companies for fraudulent claims such as those submitted by the Yandells, causing a £50 hike per year in the cost of motor insurance.

“The frauds were run from the garage in Blackwood formally known as St David’s Accident Repair centre, laterally as Easifix,” Judge Williams added.

“Set up in June 2009, it held no bank accounts, it paid no VAT, it paid no income tax, it was set up as vehicle for fraud.

“No doubt it did legitimate work but legitimate with a small L as no tax was paid.

“The Yandells are quick to reap the benefits of those who pay tax but none of you contributed to the public fund."

Sentencing of the five convicted today will now take place on January 22 next year.

Judge Daniel Williams bailed the defendants but told them a prison sentence "will be an option".

The judge thanked the jury for their time on the case and urged them to "drive carefully" which was met with laughs in the courtroom.

Operation Dino facts

28 fraudulent collisions identified involving 85 people.

57 vehicles used (1 used twice).

87 people charged in total (2 were only charged with conspiracy to steal, 1 of which was No Further Action (NFA)).

12 of those 87 were jointly charged with conspiracy to steal and conspiracy to defraud.

1 was charged with perverting the course of justice.

Ages of those committing the offences ranged from 23 to 73.

Youngest used to claim personal injury was one year old.

Defendants are primarily from the Caerphilly borough area although 25% were from the Cardiff /Pontypridd area.

For this phase only and the 28 claims the total cost to the insurance industry was £763,068.

NAME, AGE, ADDRESS, CHARGE, CLAIMS, NUMBER OF COUNTS FOUND GUILTY OF, CUSTODIAL SENTENCE IN MONTHS, SUSPENDED SENTENCE IN MONTHS

Byron Nathan Lee YANDELL, 32, Elliots Town, New Tredegar, Conspiracy to Defraud & Conspiracy to steal/Handling, 28, 26, 72, 0

Peter Emil YANDELL, 53, Blackwood, Conspiracy to steal/Handling, 28, 27, 72, 0

Rachel Marie YANDELL, 31, Elliots Town, New Tredegar, Conspiracy to Defraud & Conspiracy to steal/Handling, 28, 28, 60, 0

Michelle YANDELL, 52, Blackwood, Conspiracy to Defraud, 2, 2, 24, 0

Gavin Geraint YANDELL, 31, Blackwood, Conspiracy to Steal, 3, 3, 36, 0

Jennifer COSH (Stood trial but later pleaded guilty half way through the trial, 40, Llanbradach, Conspiracy to Defraud, 3, n/a, 36, 0

Dean Peter CRONIN, 41, Cardiff, Conspiracy to steal/Handling, 1, n/a, 0, 16

Darren HILLMAN, 43, Pontllanfraith, Blackwood, Conspiracy to Defraud, 3, n/a, 30, 0

Jonathan FULLER, 43, Cefn Fforest, Blackwood , Conspiracy to Defraud/Conspiracy to steal, 3, n/a, 30, 0

Anthony Patrick Joseph CALLAGHAN, 37, Llanbradach, Conspiracy to Defraud/Conspiracy to steal, 2, n/a, 27, 0

Ashley Ronald James MORRIS, 36, Gelligaer , Conspiracy to Defraud, 2, n/a, 20, 0

Leanne PHILLIPS, 34, Blackwood, Conspiracy to Defraud/Handling, 2, n/a, 18, 0

Claire Anne DAVIES, 38, Caerphilly, Conspiracy to Defraud, 2, n/a, 9, 0

Emma LEE, 37, Pontllanfraith, Blackwood, Conspiracy to Defraud, 2, n/a, 0, 12

Jennifer HILLMAN, 56, Abertillery, Conspiracy to Defraud, 1, n/a, 0, 8

Peter HAWKINS, 65, Ynysddu, Conspiracy to Defraud, 1, n/a, 0, 6

Adam FAIRCLOTH, 26, Pontllanfraith, Blackwood, Conspiracy to Defraud/Conspiracy to steal, 1, n/a, 0, 6

Gemma OWEN, 32, Pontypridd, Conspiracy to Defraud, 1, n/a, 0, 10

Phillip John WILLIAMS, 50, Cardiff, Conspiracy to Defraud, 1, n/a, 0, 8

Lorraine FITZPATRICK, 43, Cardiff, Conspiracy to Defraud, 1, n/a, 0, 8

Rosaleen FITZPATRICK, 62, Cardiff, Conspiracy to Defraud, 1, n/a, 0, 8

Maria JAMES, 73, Cardiff, Conspiracy to Defraud, 1, n/a, 0, 8

Sian PURBRICK, 39, Cardiff, Conspiracy to Defraud, 1, n/a, 0, 6

Simon DAVIES, 40, Cardiff, Conspiracy to Defraud, 1, n/a, 0, 8

Donna Marie DAVIES , 34, Cardiff, Conspiracy to Defraud, 1, n/a, 0, 6

Debbie POPE, 36, Maesycwmmer, Hengoed, Conspiracy to Defraud, 1, n/a, 0, 6

John POPE, 68, Hengoed, Conspiracy to Defraud, 1, n/a, 0, 8

Greg Michael JENKINS, 28, Blackwood, Conspiracy to Defraud, 1, n/a, 8, 0

Simon Paul JONES, 35, Pontllanfraith, Blackwood, Conspiracy to Defraud, 1, n/a, 0, 6

Helen WOODS, 35, Blackwood, Conspiracy to Defraud, 1, n/a, 0, 6

Ross Peter MAZURCZAK, 34, Aberbargoed, Bargoed, Conspiracy to Defraud, 1, n/a, 0, 9

Vicky Louise MORGAN, 28, Risca, Conspiracy to Defraud, 1, n/a, 0, 8

Jamie Andrea GRAY, 27, Risca, Conspiracy to Defraud, 1, n/a, 0, 8

Lynne EVANS, 54, Aberbargoed, Bargoed, Conspiracy to Defraud, 1, n/a, 0, 8

Jonathan Dennis COOK, 45, Hengoed, Mid Glamorgan, Conspiracy to Defraud, 3, n/a, 28, 0

Darren Geoffrey PHILLIPS, 32, Blackwood, Conspiracy to steal/Conspiracy to handle stolen property, 3, n/a, 30, 0

Lee David EVANS, 35, Maesycwmmer, Hengoed, Conspiracy to Defraud/Conspiracy to steal, 3, n/a, 33, 0

Stephanie BARWOOD, 32, Maesycwmmer, Hengoed, Conspiracy to Defraud, 2, n/a, 36, 0

Moreen Gwynira BARWOOD, 63, Maesycwmmer, Hengoed, Conspiracy to Defraud, 1, n/a, 0, 15

Alex BARWOOD, 37, Maesycwmmer, Conspiracy to Defraud, 1, n/a, 0, 10

Arkadius Marcin AULEJTNER, 38, Bargoed, Conspiracy to Defraud, 1, n/a, 0, 10

David MORGAN, 50, Cefn Hengoed, Conspiracy to Defraud, 1, n/a, 0, 9

Bethan DAVIES, 25, Blackwood, Conspiracy to Defraud, 1, n/a, 0, 6

Susan JONES, 61, Elliottstown, New Tredegar, Conspiracy to Defraud, 1, n/a, 0, 7.5

Kenneth Reginald JONES, 71, Elliottstown, New Tredegar, Conspiracy to Defraud, 1, n/a, 0, 10

Deborah Louise SIMMIN, 45, Cardiff , Conspiracy to Defraud, 1, n/a, 0, 10

Kelly SIMMIN, 37, Llanishen, Cardiff, Conspiracy to Defraud, 1, n/a, 0, 10

Andrew John CARPENTER, 47, Llanishen, Cardiff, Conspiracy to Defraud, 1, n/a, 0, 10

Patrick Joseph CALLAGHAN, 35, Pontypridd, Conspiracy to Defraud, 3, n/a, 0, 24

Christopher Robert HAYES, 34, Canton, Cardiff, CF5 1NG, Conspiracy to Defraud, 1, n/a, 0, 10

John CLARKE, 64, Bargoed, Conspiracy to Defraud, 1, n/a, 0, 7.5

Samantha Jane COOK, 43, Hengoed , Conspiracy to Defraud, 1, n/a, 0, 7.5

Richard Tudor JONES, 68, Blackwood, NP12 1WA, Conspiracy to Defraud, 1, n/a, 0, 7.5

Christine Alison SYMONDS, 48, Blackwood NP12 1WF, Conspiracy to Defraud, 1, n/a, 0, 7.5

Allan Ivor WILLIAMS, 54, Bargoed, CF81 8JA, Conspiracy to Defraud, 3, n/a, 24, 0

Lynn WILLIAMS, 54, Bargoed, Conspiracy to Defraud, 1, n/a, 0, 7.5

Gemma Leigh WILLIAMS, 31, Bargoed, Conspiracy to Defraud, 1, n/a, 0, 7.5

Emma Louise COOPER, 38, Caerphilly, Conspiracy to Defraud, 1, n/a, 0, 10

Victoria BUSH*, 40, Cefn Hengoed, Conspiracy to Defraud, 1, n/a, 0, 7.5

Gavin PRITCHARD, 36, Aberbargoed, Bargoed, Conspiracy to Defraud, 1, n/a, 0, 5

Neil EVANS, 37, Ferndale, Conspiracy to Defraud, 1, n/a, 0, 10

Reon DAVIES, 61, Pontllanfraith, Blackwood, Conspiracy to Defraud, 1, n/a, 0, 8

Kelly BROWN, 35, Pontllanfraith, Blackwood, NP12 2EH, Conspiracy to Defraud, 1, n/a, 0, 6

Amy PROSSER, 30, Pontllanfraith, Blackwood, NP12 2JU, Conspiracy to Defraud, 1, n/a, 0, 8

Leighton WILLIAMS, 48, Pen Y Fan Road, Blackwood, Conspiracy to Defraud, 1, n/a, 0, 5

Andrew DAVIES, 43, Argoed, Blackwood, Conspiracy to Defraud, 1, n/a, 0, 5

Rebecca PHILPOTTS, 30, Argoed, Conspiracy to Defraud, 1, n/a, 0, 5

Robert ALEXANDER, 46, Cardiff, Conspiracy to steal/Handling, 1, n/a, 8, 0

Richard KNIGHT, 42, Elliots Town, New Tredegar, Conspiracy to Defraud, 1, n/a, 0, 10

Rachel Louise VEALL, 28, Bargoed, Conspiracy to Defraud, 1, n/a, 0, 7.5

Dean VEALL, 31, London, Conspiracy to Defraud, 1, n/a, 0, 7.5

William VEALL, 49, 12 Dan Y Gaer Road, Gelligaer, Hengoed, CF82 8EP, Conspiracy to Defraud, 3, n/a, 39, 0

Roger PHILLIPS, 45, Bargoed, CF81 8QA, Conspiracy to Defraud, 1, n/a, 0, 10

Laura POWELL, 28, Blackwood, NP12 3XS, Conspiracy to Defraud, 1, n/a, 0, 10

Gareth James , 33, Cwmtillery, Abertillery, Conspiracy to steal/Theft of vehicle/Handling/Theft of parts from vehicle/Theft of vehicle/Theft of parts from vehicle/Handling/Theft of vehicle/Handling of vehicle, 0, n/a, 0, 18

Nathan Morris (NFA), 31, Aberbargoed, Bargoed, Mid Glamorgan, Conspiracy to steal, 0, n/a, 0, 0

Bethan Palmer, 26, Wattsville, Crosskeys, Conspiracy to defraud and perveting the course of justice, 1, 1, n/a, n/a

Nicola BARTLETT nee REES, 48, Bargoed, Conspiracy to Defraud, 1, 1, n/a, n/a

Nicola COOK, 41, Hengoed, Conspiracy to Defraud, 1, 1, n/a, n/a

Stephen BROOKES, 45, new address unknown, Conspiracy to Defraud, 1, 1, n/a, n/a

Stephen PEGRAM, 49, new address unknown, Conspiracy to Defraud, 1, 1, n/a, n/a