Disqualified driver jailed for insurance fraud after car overturns in Lavant

A disqualified drink driver who overturned his car in Lavant, then fraudulently claimed thousands of pounds in insurance, has been jailed.
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A spokesman for Sussex Police said Matthew O’Neill, 44, of Pagham Close in Emsworth, flipped his Volco XC70 in a field off Downs Road in Lavant on August 27.

Although the car was found empty, enquiries led officers to O’Neill at a property nearby.

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It was discovered he was already banned from driving for five years after being convicted of drink driving in October, 2017, for the fifth time.

Matthew O'Neill's overturned Volvo SUS-201223-095702001Matthew O'Neill's overturned Volvo SUS-201223-095702001
Matthew O'Neill's overturned Volvo SUS-201223-095702001

A further investigatoin into the collision found O’Neill had taken out three separate insurance policies with Direct Line while banned from driving, informing the company he held a full UK driving licence and no motoring convictions.

He used the policy to fraudulently claim £7,460 for the Downs Road collision.

In the meantime, O’Neill was spotted by officers in Funtington on November 13, once again driving while disqualified. He was arrested and taken into custody.

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He was charged with two counts of driving while disqualified, fraud by false representation, and three counts of insurance policy fraud, and was remanded in custody.

Matthew O'Neill's overturned Volvo SUS-201223-095651001Matthew O'Neill's overturned Volvo SUS-201223-095651001
Matthew O'Neill's overturned Volvo SUS-201223-095651001

O’Neill pleaded guilty to all offences and, on December 11, was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment and banned from driving for five years at Portsmouth Crown Court.

Investigating officer, PC Tom Van Der Wee, of the Sussex Roads Policing Unit, said: “Over the past few years, O’Neill has shown a blatant disregard for the law, which is in place to protect the public. But his luck has run out and now he’ll spend this Christmas – and possibly even next Christmas – behind bars.

“A large amount of time and resources went into attempting to locate anyone potentially involved in the crash, which we now know was caused by a driver who should not have been behind the wheel in the first place.

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“This consisted of officers from numerous divisions – including the Roads Policing Unit, Dog Unit, Neighbourhood Response Team and Neighbourhood Policing Team – which was ultimately a waste of everyone’s time, as O’Neill had already fled the scene.

“We will continue to carry out proactive patrols and respond to incidents on our roads, as we strive to keep everyone safe and crack down on those who commit offences.”

Mike Brown, Head of Counter Fraud Intelligence at Direct Line, said: “Direct Line Group are committed to working together with the police on their investigations to help protect innocent customers from the impacts of insurance fraud. Those who mislead their insurers and effectively drive uninsured leave honest policy holders to pick up the bill.

“Hopefully this case sends out a strong message to those who believe it is acceptable to drive whilst disqualified and provide false information to insurers.”