Touring Caravan Insurance Fraud
The trial is taking place of a South Derbyshire woman and her brother, who have been accused of selling a caravan after they had reported it as stolen.
Jurors at Derby Crown Court heard that 49 year old Beverley Jeffs, and her husband Brian, purchased the caravan in 2004.They then split in 2006, after which Mr Jeffs used the caravan as a temporary home.
He returned it to the marital home three weeks later helped by his brother Michael, who then posted the keys through the letter box.
Beverely Jeffs subsequently reported the caravan stolen in February of 2007, and tried to claim on her touring caravan insurance. Meanwhile, her 46 year old brother David Porter changed the registration plates and sold the caravan on for £15,000.
The man who bought the caravan, a Mr Treasure, gave evidence in court: “I think it was the sister selling it herself because the brother-in-law hadn’t paid for it originally. I always understood he was selling it on behalf of his sister, not his brother-in-law.”
Prosecutor Abigail Joyce read out both Porter’s and Jeffs’ original police interviews, in which Jeffs denied knowing her brother had taken and sold the touring caravan.
Porter said in a statement read out to the court that, “He (Brian Jeffs) texted me and said where the keys were and the wheel clamp. He told me to sell it for £20,000 and not to go less than £15,000. He didn’t want my sister to have it. As far as I’m concerned I haven’t done anything wrong — that’s why I registered it in my own name.”
Porter denies disguising criminal property and fraud, while Jeffs denies providing false representation and perverting the course of justice.
The trial continues.