Thu, 29 Nov 2018
Counsel from a Birmingham barristers’ chambers has represented a West Midlands council in a contempt of court case against a woman who fraudulently claimed for damages.
Gareth Compton, of No5 Barristers’ Chambers, represented Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council in the case.
Karen Britton, 45, of 44 Harwood Street, West Bromwich, pleaded guilty to contempt of court at Birmingham County Court as a result of a fraudulent claim for damages she falsely brought against the council.
Ms Britton claimed that she had suffered a serious ankle injury as a result of a trip on a pothole in Bradford Street, Walsall, on May 5, 2013. However, it was found that Ms Britton had injured her ankle when trying to catch a neighbour's dog whilst drunk.
Ms Britton's claim for damages was dismissed by His Honour Judge Gregory, sitting at Coventry County Court, on 4th May 2017. Walsall MBC then brought separate proceedings for contempt of court, against Ms Britton, at the High Court in Birmingham, where they were represented by Gareth Compton.
Sentencing Ms Britton to three months’ imprisonment on 28th November, suspended for two years, His Honour Judge McKenna, sitting as a Judge of the High Court, said: “Contempt of Court is an extremely serious matter. Fraudulent claims strike at the heart of the Civil Justice system. People should be in no doubt that, in the overwhelming majority of cases, the pursuit of fraudulent claims will lead to immediate custodial sentences.”
Gareth Compton is a member of the Fraudulent Insurance Group at No5 Barristers’ Chambers. He is regularly instructed by both insurers and defendants in respect of cases where fraud is suspected.
View his profile here: https://www.no5.com/barristers/barrister-cvs/gareth-compton-fraudulent-insurance-claims/
