Scammer who conned Devon garage jailed for two years

Paul Watkins used a false name to secure a courtesy car from a Land Rover specialist in Ottery St Mary

Scammer who conned Devon garage jailed for two years
Photo: Devon & Cornwall Police

A conman from Devon who admitted to five counts of fraud has been jailed for two years and a month.

Exeter Crown Court heard how Paul Watkins used a false name when he persuaded Beacon Garage in Ottery St Mary to lend him a courtesy car while his Land Rover was in for repair work.

The garage owner became suspicious when he received a string of parking offences, but Mr Watkins refused to return the Discovery. He also claimed an insurance company would be covering the £8000 it would cost to fix his unroadworthy vehicle.

Having realised Mr Watkins was using a fake name, the garage owner stopped work, but not before £810 worth of work had been completed.

In a separate incident, Mr Watkins stole a friend’s identity and used it to buy a £17,000 BMW from an online dealer. The first the victim knew about it was when he received details of the £480 monthly repayments and speeding tickets in his name.

Defending the fraudster, Ian Graham told the court Mr Watkins had serious health problems and had changed his way of life. He also claimed that Mr Watkins would benefit more from working in the community than going to prison.

Source: Sidmouth Herald

Have your say!

0 0

Lost Password

Please enter your username or email address. You will receive a link to create a new password via email.