Crime
Fined £10,000 after fleeing to America over ‘brazen’ car scam
THE MASTERMIND behind a sophisticated car accident scam, swindling motorists out of hundreds of thousands of pounds, has been fined £10,000 after fleeing to the United States to evade justice.
Jonathan Riches, 46, illegally accessed the personal information of drivers involved in car accidents while employed at Enterprise Rent-A-Car in Wales. He used this data to target victims with personal injury claims through a company he later established. Riches, who committed the offences between 2009 and 2011, was also ordered to pay £1,700 in costs by Cardiff Crown Court. The Judge, His Honour Francis, ruled that if Riches fails to pay the fine within 12 months, he will face a nine-month custodial sentence.
The court heard how Riches exploited his former role at Enterprise Rent-A-Car to obtain confidential information, contacting former colleagues to gain unauthorised access to the company’s client database. This allowed him to identify and approach accident victims, offering them legal services through his own firm.
Riches, from South Wales, was not alone in his scheme. His accomplices, Jamie Leong, Michelle Craddock, and Andrew Minty, had previously been sentenced for their roles in the operation. Together, they managed to circumvent security measures, gaining access to personal data that Riches then used for financial gain.
The Judge condemned Riches for his “cynical breach of trust,” describing the operation as both sophisticated and long-running. This latest court appearance comes years after Riches was initially ordered to pay £300,000 in a civil settlement to Enterprise Rent-A-Car. His crimes were further scrutinised when he was interviewed by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) in the following year.
Despite being summoned to court in 2016, Riches absconded to the United States, resulting in a warrant for his arrest. After years on the run, he returned to the UK and surrendered to authorities earlier this year.
Speaking after the sentencing, Andy Curry, Head of Investigations at the ICO, expressed satisfaction with the outcome. “We are pleased to see justice served in this case. Mr Riches orchestrated a brazen operation, using his accomplices to illegally access Enterprise Rent-A-Car systems and steal data, enriching himself by hundreds of thousands of pounds,” said Curry.
He added, “The unauthorised use of personal data not only violated the law but also subjected people to nuisance calls about personal injury claims. This sentence, though delayed by Mr Riches’ flight to the USA, demonstrates that justice will be pursued relentlessly.”
Curry also extended thanks to Enterprise Rent-A-Car, commending the company for promptly reporting the breach and supporting the investigation. “Their vigilance and cooperation were crucial in bringing this matter to a successful conclusion,” he said.
The case highlights the serious consequences of data breaches and the lengths to which authorities will go to bring offenders to justice, regardless of the time it takes.
Crime
Court hears man exposed his flaccid manhood ‘by accident’
A 21-YEAR-OLD Pembrokeshire man has appeared before magistrates charged with intentionally exposing his genitals in a public place.
Thomas Jones is accused of carrying out the act at a property in New Moat, Clarbeston Road, on November 9, 2022.
“The defendant knocked on the door of a female and offered his gardening services,” Crown prosecutor Nia James told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.
“She accepted his offer and moved her car so that he could move his van, but when she turned around, she could see his flaccid penis was outside his trousers. When she pointed this out to him, he said he didn’t know that it was exposed.”
Jones denies the charge. He was released on unconditional bail to await his trial at Haverfordwest magistrates court on January 6.
Crime
Regular cocaine user from Milford Haven taken off the road
A MILFORD HAVEN resident who admits to being a regular cocaine user has lost his driving licence after being found behind the wheel when he was 15 times over the legal Benzoylecgonine limit.
Teifion Morse, 41, was stopped by officers just before midnight on May 1 following reports that he was driving his Vauxhall Insignia along the A477 at excessive speeds.
“The vehicle was travelling westwards towards Kilgetty, and Teifion Morse was the driver and the sole occupant, “ Crown Prosecutor Nia James told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.
A roadside drugs wipe proved positive while further blood tests carried out at the police custody suite showed that Morse had 800 mcg of benzoylecgonine in his system (the legal limit is 50), and 20 mcg of cocaine. The legal limit is 10.
Ms James said that when Morse was spoken to by officers, he told them that he knew the readings would be positive. “I’ve done stupid amounts today,” he said.
Morse, of Hawthorn Path, Milford Haven, pleaded guilty to two charges of drug driving. A probation report stated that since leaving the military five and a half years ago, Morse has suffered from mental health issues.
He’s been using cocaine as a coping mechanism,” said the probation officer. “He freely admits that he uses cocaine to help him cope, but it’s spiralled and is getting more and more out of control. He would like support to kick this habit.”
Morse chose to be legally unrepresented when he appeared before magistrates.
“It was my stupid fault and I’m trying to take the correct steps to get on the right path,” he said in mitigation.
Morse was sentenced to an 18-month community order during which he must carry out 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 150 hours of unpaid work. He was disqualified from driving for 15 months and must pay a £140 court surcharge and £85 costs.
Crime
Motorist manned from driving after being caught over limit
A PEMBROKE DOCK motorist has been ordered off the roads after driving through Pembroke town centre when he was over the drink-drive limit.
Just before 1am on October 31, police officers stopped a Vauxhall Zafira that was being driven along South Road by Cameron Sell, 23, who was exceeding the speed limit.
“He was acting erratically when he was speaking to the officer,” Crown Prosecutor Nia James told Haverofrdwest magistrates this week.
A roadside breath test proved positive and subsequent breath tests carried out at the police station showed Sell had 42 mcg of alcohol in his system. The legal limit is 35.
After considering the facts, magistrates fined Sell £300 and ordered him to pay a £120 court surcharge and £85 costs. He was disqualified from driving for 12 months.
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