Crime

Fined £10,000 after fleeing to America over ‘brazen’ car scam

Published

1 year ago

August 16, 2024

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

Former Wales rugby star admits Christmas Day drink-driving offence

Published

2 hours ago

February 4, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

Ex-Ospreys captain was almost twice over limit in Pembroke town centre

Former Wales back row Jonathan Thomas has admitted driving through Pembroke town centre on Christmas Day when he was almost twice over the drink-drive limit.

This week Haverfordwest magistrates heard that Thomas, 43, was stopped by officers as he drove his Mercedes CLA 220 along The Green, Pembroke, at around 5pm on Christmas Day.

“The officers were very concerned at the manner of his driving, as the car was being driven erratically and was swerving to the other side of the road,” said Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan.

“When Jonathan Thomas got out of the car, the officers could see that he was having difficulty standing and was unsteady on his feet.”

Subsequent breathalyser tests showed Thomas had 62 mcg of alcohol in his system, the legal limit being 35.

Thomas, who has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to the drink-drive charge and was represented in court by solicitor Jess Hill.

“He has family in the area and had travelled to spend time with them on Christmas Day,” she told the magistrates. “He’s very remorseful for his actions and hugely regrets his decision that day.”

Jess Hill concluded by saying that Thomas is currently “between jobs and living off his savings”.

Thomas, who gave his address as Main Road, Bredon, was disqualified from driving for a total of 18 months.

“The length of your disqualification reflects the fact that you were more than a little bit over the limit,” commented the presiding magistrates when imposing sentence.

He was fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £48 court surcharge.

The former Wales back row left his role as Swansea RFC head coach at the beginning of December 2025 as a result of ongoing health concerns. He was forced to retire from playing in 2015 on medical advice after being diagnosed with epilepsy and is one of the 390 former rugby union players currently taking part in a concussion lawsuit against the sport’s authorities.

“Long-standing issues linked to the head trauma have caused me some concern recently and it has been impossible for me to give the role everything it needs,” he said in a previous interview with the BBC.

His rugby career started out with Pembroke RFC juniors before moving to Swansea RFC, which he captained when he was 19. He then joined the Ospreys where, over a ten-year period, he won four league titles and an Anglo-Welsh Cup. He was the youngest player to captain the Ospreys and, at the time of leaving, was the joint highest appearance holder, together with Andrew Bishop, on 188 appearances.

His international career saw him play for Wales at Under-16, Youth, Under-19, Under-21 and Sevens levels. He made his senior international debut against Australia in 2003, featured at the 2007 Rugby World Cup and was part of two Six Nations Grand Slam-winning sides in 2005 and 2008. Between 2004 and 2011, Thomas was included in every Wales Six Nations squad. In his appearances for Wales, he scored seven tries.

Crime

Drink-driver narrowly avoided collision in town centre

Published

2 hours ago

February 4, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

Motorist almost three times over legal limit

A DRINK-driver narrowly avoided crashing into another vehicle while almost three times over the legal alcohol limit, a court has heard.

Nathan Lloyd, 33, was seen driving a Nissan X-Trail in Haverfordwest in the early hours of December 20 without headlights.

Police followed the vehicle, which narrowly missed a car and struck a kerb before being stopped.

Lloyd, of Adams Drive, Narberth, recorded a breath reading of 97 micrograms of alcohol, nearly three times the legal limit.

He was disqualified from driving for two years and given a 12-month community order requiring 80 hours of unpaid work and 20 rehabilitation days. He was ordered to pay £114 surcharge and £85 costs.