Minibus Driver that non-disclosed convictions is spared jail following fatal accident

A Minibus driver who had a collision with a motorcyclist, killing him instantly, has been spared Jail at Bolton Crown Court this week.  The accident happened in Manchester Road, Kearsley, in January 2011.

The motorcyclist, Neil Cooper, was a 52 year old father of two, and his wife Linda died just four months later after suffering a heart attack.

Henry Hamilton who had been found guilty of causing death by careless driving had received a 12 month suspended prison sentence and was disqualified from driving for three years.  However he failed to tell his Insurance Company, Bollington, about this conviction for over five years.   He had continued to renew his commercial policy with them for his business Dunne’s Travel.   The disclosures only came to light when Henry was recognised by the Police Officer who had investigated the fatal motorcycle crash, when he pulled over a van in which Hamilton was a passenger.

He admitted to five counts of fraud committed over the period January 2011 – January 2015, and at Bolton Crown Court was sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for 12 months, and was ordered to do 100 hours of unpaid work.

The Judge in summing up said ‘You failed to disclose a number of particulars concerning your offending and your position to your Insurers’, which must have resulted in a reduction of your premiums and ensured you had insurance when otherwise you may have been refused.  ‘This is why you did it’

Jude Timothy Stead imposed a 28 day residency order for Hamilton to remain at his house in Masefield Drive, Farnworth.  He also ordered him to pay a £100 victim surcharge but made no order for prosecution costs or compensation as Hamilton is not in work or in receipt of benefits.  It emerged that he is being supported financially by his family.