A judge blasted a cash for crash fraudster who flouted his court order, telling him: “I don’t appreciate it when people laugh behind my back.”

Dominic Scott, 34, was one of 35 people brought to justice in November for their respective roles in a £600,000 insurance scam dubbed “cash for crash”.

It was masterminded by Carlisle criminal Mark McCracken, who received a seven-year jail term from Judge Peter Davies at the city’s crown court.

For his part, Scott received a two-year community order from the judge and was ordered to carry out 75 hours of unpaid work.

He had admitted dishonestly making a false representation. But he was brought back before Judge Davies at the crown court due to poor progress.

Scott accepted he failed to comply with his community order requirements by twice failing to attend unpaid work appointments in February.

Greg Hoare, for the probation service, said Scott had previously produced a “bundle” of documents at a previous court hearing in a bid to explain his absences.

“This is very much a case of the probation service being receptive to Mr Scott’s position but him doing little or nothing to actually assist himself,” said Mr Hoare.

“Since the last occasion (in court) he has been offered further appointments and the probation service have also rung him and have received no contact whatsoever to confirm his position.”


Judge Peter Davies Indeed, the probation service, added Mr Hoare, were willing to “work around him”.

John Smith, for Scott, said the self-employed roofer had recently suffered from a health condition.

But Scott, of Sybil Street, off Greystone Road, Carlisle, had been offered another appointment this weekend, and was feeling “much better”.

Mr Smith said: “He feels he would be in a position to do unpaid work from Sunday onwards.”

Judge Davies announced he would “up the ante”, suspending a six-month prison sentence for two years and ordering Scott to complete 150 hours of unpaid work.

“If there are any further breaches you will go to prison, Mr Scott, do you understand? I will not have you wasting my time and wasting the probation service’s time,” said the judge.

“I had given you a proper chance. I don’t appreciate it when people laugh behind my back. There will be no further chances for you.”