Ian Varley was discovered after he crashed his Audi A3 car and falsely gave his victim’s name and details to the police
A fraudster took advantage of a vulnerable and illiterate man by using his identity to buy a car and take out car insurance. He was discovered after crashing his car and police attended the victim’s home where he had received “a torrent” of correspondence which he could not read.
Ian Varley, 49, met his victim in church and began attending his home on a regular basis, pretending to be the man’s friend who liked spending time with him. The defendant was seen by the victim’s neighbours driving a black Audi A3 when visiting him.
A sentencing hearing at Newport Crown Court on Friday heard Varley crashed his Audi A3 on May 31, 2020, and the vehicle sustained significant front end damage. For the latest court reports sign up to our crime newsletter.
Prosecutor Ieuan Bennett said the defendant gave the victim’s name and details, and the insurance details were also in his name, but when asked to provide documentation by police he began to stall.
The victim later received “a torrent” of documentation from Admiral insurance and asked neighbours to read out the letters because he couldn’t read or write.
All of them related to the defendant’s poor driving record.
Varley, of Acer Way, Monmouth, was arrested on March 7, 2021, and in his interview he admitted being the driver of the car but remained silent when asked about the fraud.
In total, Admiral Insurance suffered a loss of £9,926.
The defendant later pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation.
The court heard he has 18 previous convictions for theft, shoplifting, drug offences, driving offences, sending a threatening message and was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment for perverting the course of justice.
In mitigation, defence barrister said his client is on medication for various ailments and argued the defendant could be dealt with in the community.
Sentencing, Judge Celia Hughes said: “This was an awful way to treat what was clearly a vulnerable and somewhat elderly and illiterate man who thought you were his friend… He must feel let down.”
Varley was sentenced to 16 months imprisonment suspended for 16 months.
The defendant was also ordered to carry out a 12 day rehabilitation activity requirement and was made subject to a restraining order for 10 years.
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