Eleven people have been sentenced for the part they played in a Cash for Crash scam

These collisions are staged to make fraudulent and exaggerated insurance claims for vehicle damage, personal injury, and other ‘costs’. The money is often used to fund more serious crimes. Five people pleaded guilty and a further six were found guilty of conspiracy to defraud, following two trials at Derby Crown Court. The trials started on January 15, and the final guilty verdicts were given on April 12. Another defendant pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of Fraud by False Representation in relation to exaggerating the damage caused to his vehicle. Mark Knowles of Beaconsfield Street, Long Eaton received 13 months custodial sentence. Shazad Ali of Frederick Avenue, Alvaston received 54 months in jail plus a further three months for a separate fraud case to run consecutively. Amanda Ho of Frederick Avenue, Alvaston received 30 months in jail. Ashley Ho of Frederick Avenue, Alvaston was sentenced to 12 months in jail. Amy Ho of Stanley Road, Alvaston, received 12 months custodial sentence. Sophie Harrison of Wye Street, Alvaston, was sentenced to a 12 month community order plus 80 hours unpaid work. Kevin Hall of Beaufort Street, Derby received a 12 month community order plus 40 hours unpaid work. Anzard Brown of Prestwick Way, Derby was jailed for nine months. Stacey Bailey of Birkbeck Close, Derby received a 12 month community order plus 50 hours unpaid work. Mark Woodward of Booth Street, Derby was jailed for 13 months. Lisa Monk of Rochester Close, Alvaston was jailed for 15 months. Detective Constable Andrew Small, who led the investigation, said: “This was a complex case which started in May 2013 and was investigated by our Fraud Investigation Team. “During the two-and-a-half year investigation, more than 100 people were interviewed as suspects or witnesses. “I hope that today’s sentencing shows that any allegation made about insurance fraud will be taken seriously and fully investigated.” Jason Potter, Head of Investigations at the Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB), said: “After a lengthy and thorough investigation between Derbyshire Constabulary, the IFB and our insurer members, we are extremely pleased with today’s result. “This was a group of calculated individuals who abused the system to fill their own pockets, leaving honest policyholders to foot the £250,000 bill. Fraudsters who operate in this way are a drain on society and we will not tolerate this type of behaviour. “The sentencing demonstrates that crimes like this will not go unpunished and we are continuously working with police to ensure that justice is served.”