Greedy Insurance Broker Jailed For Scam

A greedy insurance broker, who ripped-off clients by overcharging them for sometimes useless policies, has been jailed for two years.

Gary Whipps, 32, of Benfleet, Essex pocketed £46,125 during the scam, which saw him forge genuine policies to inflate the premiums and promise non-existent cover.

He specialised in sourcing insurance for amusement parks; bouncy castles and soft play areas, but between January 1, 2018 and December 1, 2020 forged contracts for twenty-six clients, increasing the premiums and banking the difference.

Whipps pleaded guilty at Chelmsford Crown Court to 39 counts of fraud by false representation, after the case was referred to the City of London Police’s Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department (IFED). 

He was sentenced at the same court to two years imprisonment. Confiscation proceedings to reclaim the overall loss will take place in December.  

Detective Constable Surinder Ram, from the City of London Police’s Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department (IFED), said: “Insurance brokers like Whipps are meant to help their customers find the right cover for them at the best price. 

“However, Whipps showed little regard for his clients, some of whom thought of him as a friend, and prioritised his own financial gain.

“Not only did Whipps make a substantial amount of money at his clients’ expense, he left some of them without the insurance cover they thought they had paid for. 

“As a broker, he would have been fully aware of the financial and reputational risks he left them open to.  

“Whipps has been rightfully punished for his crimes, and we’re now seeking to begin confiscation proceedings to reimburse his victims.” 

Since 2016, Whipps had worked for a broker that provides insurance for businesses. It sold policies from a wholesale broker that offers insurance for other brokers to buy on behalf of their clients.  

The compliance team at the wholesale broker began to suspect that Whipps had doctored its contract documents, after they were contacted by the owner of a bouncy castle hire company in Ireland who had bought an insurance policy in April, 2019 from Whipps. 

They found that Whipps had edited the contract so that it incorrectly stated that the policy was valid in the Republic of Ireland. 

His actions meant that, had there been an accident involving a child on the play equipment, the company would not have been covered by insurance.

Further contracts obtained by the wholesale broker showed that Whipps had increased the cost of the premiums on another 38 insurance policies that he had sold between February 2018 and June 2020. 

They had been increased by values ranging from £100 to £27,286.  

In one case, the owner of an amusement park in Wales bought a business insurance policy from Whipps in December 2019. 

He was told by Whipps that the policy included cover for business interruption and subsequently paid a premium of £44,800.

In March 2020, when the client tried to claim for business interruption due to Covid-19 restrictions, Whipps avoided his attempts to contact him by stating that his child was ill or that he had injured his leg while chopping down a hedge. 

In May, he told the client that, while the policy did not cover business interruption as a result of Covid-19, he could pretend that his property had been stolen to obtain the money another way.  

The client subsequently used £235,000 of his own funds to cover the business interruption. When he contacted the wholesale broker in June, he discovered that the premium should only have cost £12,355.  

Whipps was suspended from his job in June, and the wholesale broker referred the case to IFED on 9 July. 

IFED’s financial investigators found that the £44,800 from the owner of the amusement park had been paid into a bank account owned by Whipps. 

He was arrested on 3 November.  

The Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB) conducted checks with other insurance companies to ensure that they had not been targeted by Whipps’ activity.  

Jon Radford, Head of Intelligence, Investigations & Data Services at the Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB), said:“Whipps grossly neglected the professional standards expected of insurance brokers. 

“He was trusted by so many companies to provide them with vital business cover but left them risking serious financial and legal complications just so he could line his own pockets.  

“We're pleased to have supported IFED with this investigation and to see that Whipps has faced the serious consequences of his selfish actions.” 

During his police interview, Whipps answered “no comment” to all questions asked.  

Mobile Phone Snatcher Nicked 24 During Morning City Spree

A prolific mobile phone snatcher terrorised the City of London when he nicked twenty-four handsets in just one busy morning.

Islington man Sonny Stringer, 28, pleaded guilty to ten thefts, plus one extra count of theft, representing fifteen further offences. 

He also pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and driving without insurance.

Stringer will be sentenced when he returns to Isleworth Crown Court on August 8.

He was intercepted by City of London Policer officers as he and an unknown accomplice rode into the Square Mile at speed on electric motorbikes on March 26.

At around 11.15am, a woman was standing on Blackfriars Bridge when her iPhone 15 was snatched from her hand. 

It was quickly reported to the police and control officers picked up the criminals on the City’s camera network and directed officers to begin searching for them.

Control Officer Lynn Newins said: “I took a call from a member of the public who had witnessed a phone snatching on the south side of Blackfriars Bridge. 

“My colleague Damon said he had the suspects on our cameras. I quickly started relaying information to officers on the ground. In the control room we can manage the position of the cameras ourselves which is very useful and speeds up our ability to track criminals. 

“We spun the cameras around on Cheapside and updated officers on the phone snatchers’ path. I remember saying that they were ‘going like the clappers’ and could see members of the public having to avoid being hit by them.

“When we saw that officers had apprehended one of the suspects it was a huge sense of achievement for all those involved. Working in control you sometimes don’t hear about the success stories as they tend to happen later, so to be a part of it and see that they recovered so many phones was a big win.

“I sadly speak to lots of victims of phone snatchers and the loss of their phone is devastating to them. 

“People have their worlds on their phones and it isn’t a minor crime to them. I spoke to one of the victims who called to say we had their phone. It was nice to know that we played a role in getting it back to them.”

On Fetter Lane the pair evaded a marked police car and at speeds nearing 50 mph they cut across a pedestrian crossing, narrowly missing one member of the public, while another had to run to avoid being hit.

Road Police Officers PC Jordan Smith and PC Joe Little were listening in on the radio and driving towards the phone snatchers.

Guided by PC Little’s extensive knowledge of the City’s streets, PC Smith drove towards Bank Junction. Stringer overtook a stationary bus crossing the dashed white line in the middle of the road before turning sharply left in front of the bus to mount the pavement.

PC Smith, an advanced police driver who is trained in tactical pursuit and containment (TPAC), made the operational decision to initial 'tactical contact' on the rear wheel of Stringer’s Surron electric bike.

CCTV released today shows that Stringer was about to mount the pavement into the direction of a family pushing a buggy.

The TPAC manoeuvre was reviewed and deemed to be proportionate and responsible to avoid serious injury to members of the public and effect arrest.

Stringer came off his bike and attempted to run away. PC Little approached and drew his Taser whereupon Stringer got onto his knees and PC Smith restrained him. Stringer threw a black faraday bag, away from him.

The bag contained 22 mobile phones. A further two phones had been dropped when the tactical contact was made.

Chief Superintendent Rob Atkin MBE said: “The successful capture and prosecution of a prolific phone snatcher shows City of London Police’s focus on detecting and bringing to justice those who steal from people on our streets.

“This was a team effort from our control team following the criminals on CCTV and communicating with officers on the ground, to response officers making risk-critical decisions to protect the public and effect an arrest. 

“Not forgetting our investigators tracking down victims from across London, returning valuable mobile phones and ensuring a guilty verdict.

“Phone snatching has a significant impact on victims and our key priority has been to reduce the number of phones stolen and relentlessly target those criminals responsible.”

Stringer is responsible for the following offences:

At around 10:15am on Baker Street, London, near the tube station, a woman was using a map application on her phone when it was snatched from her hand as she waited to cross the road. The victim’s phone was returned to her at Bishopsgate Police Station.

A woman was walking towards Marble Arch at around 10:30am on Edgeware Road, London. While she was using her phone it was taken out of her hand. On 27 March, the victim made enquires at Bishopsgate Police Station and her phone was returned to her.

Between 10:00am and 11:00am, on Cromwell Place, London, a man had his phone taken from his hand while using it. The victim also alleged that suspect brandished a knife. At around 3pm, he called his phone and an officer explained that his phone was at the police station. He collected his phone on the following day, 27 March.

A man was taking a photograph with his phone between 10:30am and 11:00am on Grosvenor Place, London, near Wellington Arches, Hyde Park, when a man hit the phone out of the victim’s hand and caught it. City of London Police officers returned the phone to him.

At around 10:40am, at Regent Street, London, a man was using his phone to take a photo of a post office receipt when a male on a motorbike pushed him in the chest and then snatched the phone from his hand. At around 9pm, an officer from the City of London Police contacted the victim to say his phone had been recovered. The next day, 27 March, the phone was returned to him.

At around 10:40am Orange Street, at the junction with Haymarket, a woman’s phone was taken from her left hand while she was using it. The victim confirmed one of the phones recovered from City of London Police was hers.

Before 11.15am, at Victoria Road, Westminster, London, a man was using his phone at pedestrian crossing when his phone was stolen. The next day, he collected his phone from Bishopsgate Police Station.

Before 11.15am , at Piccadilly, near the junction with Regent Street a man was using his phone, walking towards Green Park, when he had his phone snatched from his hand. The victim reported this to the Metropolitan Police.

A woman had her phone snatched from her hand when she was standing on Blackfriars Bridge at around 11:15am. She reported this to City of London Police and officers began their search for the suspect.

Punched Topping-Up Oyster Card

A rail passenger using an Oyster top-up machine was punched to the floor – suffering a broken rib – at Stratford station.

British Transport Police (BTP) have released this CCTV image of their suspect.

They are appealing to members of the public to assist identifying him.

It was approximately 10.50pm on Thursday, May 16 when the victim was in the underpass of the busy east London station, adding credit to his Oyster card.

He was punched in the ribs and knocked to the floor by a stranger in an unprovoked assault.

Officers believe the man in the CCTV image may have information that could help their investigation.

Anyone who recognises him, or has any other information, is asked to contact British Transport Police by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 673 of 16 of May.

Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Homeless Rough Sleeper Cleared Of Joining Late-Night Park Rape

Not Guilty: Roden

A rough sleeper, accused of joining in the rape of a teenage West End nightclubber, has walked free after the prosecution dropped the expected retrial.

Wesley Rosen, 34, of Smith Street, Warrington was homeless when he claims he stumbled upon the 18 year-old A-Level student having consensual outdoor sex and was invited to join in.

Last year, a Southwark Crown Court jury failed to reach a verdict after a trial and this week the Crown Prosecution Service offered no evidence.

Roden, who was on the run from police at the time, was found not guilty of raping the drunken teenager in Victoria Embankment Gardens, Charing Cross on August 16, 2019.

A second unknown suspect, who initially went to the small park with the complainant, continues to be wanted by police

The trial heard the young woman and two female friends drank vodka, beer and cider as they travelled from the outskirts of north London to West End superclub Heaven, where one of the other girls was refused admittance, due to intoxication.

Later police tests also reveal the complainant had consumed cannabis, cocaine and ketamine and she confirmed to police she was “ten out of ten” drunk.

She split with her friends when they tried to sober up in McDonald’s and was caught on CCTV walking from Heaven to the small closed park at around 2.40am with a mystery male, still being hunted by police.

The student gave a video-recorded statement to police after she and a good Samaritan waved down officers, which was played to the jury.

“The snapshot I have in my head is lying on the grass in a park with a man over me and feeling pain around the hips,” the teenager explained, confirming she had little memory of how she got there.

“I remember lying on the grass and my underwear and tights were around my ankles and my legs were pushed up.

“The first man, I don’t remember his face. I could feel him having sex with me and a pain in my hips.

“It felt surreal and I was ten out of ten for drunk.

“I remember his body moving over me and sexual moaning and him holding me down on my arm and I have a bruise where he held me.

“My knees were up to my chest and I was just wanting for it to be over and was blacking in and out, distracting myself.

“Another man came over with a beard  and said: ‘Can I have a go?’ and the first man says: ‘That’s a bit weird,’ and then said: ‘Once I leave you can do what you want with her.’

Still Wanted: Second Suspect

“The second man looked at me and saw I wouldn’t do anything or stop it.

“He was over me and then he was gone. I woke up on the grass and realised everything that had happened.

“I was on the grass and clicking in my head all the snapshots leading up and then ran to the gate and was banging on the gate and I told a man I needed help and to call the police.

“I don’t remember how I got to the park, I did not know where I was or where my friends were and I was scared and confused.”

Roden does not deny having unprotected sex with the young woman - confirmed via DNA - and immediately gave his version of events when police found him sleeping nearby the next day.

“He did not look well put together, his clothes were scruffy,” the complainant told the police.

“When he said: ‘Can I have a go?’ I was thinking: ’No, no, no,’ but I don’t know if I said it. I felt like I was paralysed.”

Prosecutor Ben Temple told the jury Roden was questioned by police. “He suggested in interview the complainant was an enthusiastic partner who instigated sexual activity and said: ‘She had the time of her life.’

“He said she was a slut and that she told him she had sex with strangers every weekend  and was a: ’Twisted little slag.’

“He can dish it out in interview, but is not prepared to put his money where his mouth is,” added the prosecutor, referring to Roden’s decision not to give evidence to the jury.

He also told police: “She is trying to stitch me up,” insisting she physically pulled him  towards her by his crotch, gave him oral sex and demanded: “Come and f*** me.”

He was arrested the next day by PC Ryan McKinley, who told the jury: “He was a little bit too jovial about it. Like it was banter.

“He was not well kept. He had clearly been living out for some considerable time. He fist pumps the other male and says ‘get me involved’ while that male is raping the girl. There’s clearly no consent there.”

County Lines Drugs Teenager Locked-Up

A teenage County Lines drug dealer is starting forty months in custody after police stopped him boarding a train at Euston station.

Emmauel Arosomade, 19, had crack cocaine and heroin with a street value of £1100 stuffed into his tracksuit bottoms.

He was on his way to Northampton when arrested by the British Transport Police's County Lines Taskforce.

At Inner London Crown Court Arosomade, of Papermill Place, Walthamstow pleaded guilty to possession, with intent to supply Class A drugs and possession of an offensive weapon – namely a police baton.

The court heard how on Thursday, May 2 Arosomade was spotted by the specialist officers at the busy central London station boarding the train heading north.

Due to his behaviour when approached by plain clothed officers a decision was made to detain and search him.

Officers discovered Arosomade was carrying a metal police baton in his jacket pocket and a cluster of drugs wrapped in cling film in his tracksuit bottoms.

Investigating officer Daniel Burke said: “Attempting to transport hefty hauls of class A drugs in plain sight on the railway is not a good idea. 

“We have highly trained specialist officers working across the country as part of our County Lines Taskforce – we are watching you and you will be apprehended and face the consequences.”

Violent Pair Hunted For Leg & Nose Break Attack

A London Underground passenger's leg was broken after being pushed between the train and platform during a violent assault.

The victim was also repeatedly punched in the face – causing a broken nose – after initially being shoved down an escalator.

British Transport Police (BTP) are hunting an unknown male and female.

Investigating officers have released these images of their suspects.

They are appealing to members of the public to assist in identifying the mystery pair.

At approximately 7.00pm on Thursday, May 16, the victim was using the escalator at Canning Town station when a woman pushed him in the back, causing him to stumble.

When he reached the platform he was pushed from behind with force by a man, causing him to fall between the platform and train, resulting in him breaking his leg.

The man also punched the victim several times to the face breaking his nose.

Officers believe the people in the images may have information that could help with their investigation.

Anyone who recognises them is asked to contact BTP by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 569 of 16 May 2024.

Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

NOT GUILTY: 999 Operator Cleared

A Stevenage Metropolitan Police 999 emergency call centre supervisor has been cleared of illegally looking-up confidential police reports of a fatal stabbing, for which her brother was later arrested.

Charlotte Servais, 33, of Stephenson Mews told a Southwark Crown Court jury: “I wasn’t aware the access was unauthorised until all this situation.”

Her three-day trial came to a conclusion when the jurors  took less than two-and-a-half hours of deliberation to find her not guilty.

Servais pleaded not guilty to performing an unauthorised computer function between April 16 and 22, 2020 at the Metropolitan Police’s Central Communication Command in Peel Centre, Hendon, namely information relating to a stabbing.

She was visiting her mother’s home in Sunnymead Road, Roehampton on April 15, 2020 the same day self-employed painter and decorator Ralph Gibson, 42, was twice stabbed in the back in nearby Huntingfield Road and died on April 24.

She always admitted accessing the Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) reports when she returned to work the next day even though the police investigation was not in her working area.

Servais, who has also been a Special Constable since January, 2011 and holds a Batchelor of Science in Criminology from the University of Roehampton, began working at the 999 call centre in October, 2013.

She told the trial she looked-up the relevant CAD reports twelve times over the next four days “out of curiosity.”

Her brother Callum Servais was later arrested by police, who searched the mother’s home on July 23, but he was released without charge.

Robinson Charles-Mario, 24, and Rudi Mitchell, 29 ended up being prosecuted at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court in relation to the killing.

Servais said the working culture at the 999 centre commonly saw staff accessing CAD reports when there was no real professional justification.

“It doesn’t make it right, but everybody does it,” she told the jury from the witness box. “Because of the culture there, everybody does it.”

She claimed to not know rules surrounding CAD reports were identical to making enquiries on the Police National Computer (PNC).

“I know not to go into the PNC to look at things you shouldn’t be looking at or looking at an ex-partner.

“That was not my understanding of CAD’s because of the culture of that environment.”

At the start of the trial prosecutor Paul Casey told the jury: “She was employed by the Metropolitan Police as a civilian member of police staff at the Met’s Central Communication Command (MCC).

“The MCC handles emergency and non-emergency calls from the public and other agencies and despatches police units across London.”

Servais only has responsibility for north, central and west London and not south London, where the stabbing occurred, the trial was told.

“People who do these jobs are placed in a considerable position of trust,” added Mr Casey. “She had a high degree of responsibility in fast moving potentially life-threatening incidents.”

An air ambulance rushed to Mr Gibson’s aid along with a specialist trauma team and he was helicoptered to King’s College Hospital and placed into an induced coma.

The Met’s Major Investigation Team launched an inquiry.

“Several arrests were made and one of these was Callum Servais, the brother of the defendant.”

Servais logged-in and read four CAD reports relating to the investigation.

“There needs to be some reason in a professional role that justified access to the CAD system,” explained Mr Casey. “Access to the CAD system is a privilege.

“Simply browsing and looking out of nosiness or curiosity is prohibited.

“She looked at them over a number of days. There was no policing purpose to justify her looking at these reports.”

In October, 2020 Servais was told she was under investigation and was questioned in May, 2021.

“She freely admitted viewing the CAD records and accepted she was wrong to do so, but will be saying in this trial: ‘At the time I did not know that.’

“She told officers she was not aware of the exact details and looked at the CAD reports the next day out of curiosity.

“She said she was not aware of anything involving her brother until July 23, when the police searched her brother’s bedroom.

“She was apologetic and said her actions were careless.

“The prosecution do not accept it was simply coincidence Servais accessed these four CAD reports of a fatal stabbing that had a connection with her brother.

“We do not say she provided any evidence of that stabbing to any other person.”