In an update to our last story on the case, a car mechanic has been ordered to pay approximately £10,000 in compensation after dumping a client’s van in an Asda car park, leading to its seizure and scrapping. Jamie Leigh Wright, 42, from Falmouth, was found guilty of fraud by false representation in his absence at Truro Magistrates’ Court on 12th June, after failing to attend his trial.
The court heard that on 19th July last year, Wright was hired by Mr. England, a curtains and blind fitter, to replace a broken-down VW van engine. Wright quoted £3,594 for the engine upfront and £500 for labour, promising completion by the end of the week. Mr. England paid the requested sum, but the work was never carried out.
Instead, the van was eventually left in the Asda Penryn car park, where it was impounded by the council. Unable to afford the recovery fees, Mr. England’s van was subsequently scrapped, leaving him around £11,135 in debt and without a vehicle.
Wright’s defence solicitor stated that Wright, a mechanic for 24 years with a previously good reputation, had recently encountered difficulties. The solicitor claimed the money paid for the engine was used to purchase it, and the engine remains at Wright’s address. He attributed Wright’s issues to a “vicious circle” of taking on too much work, falling behind, and experiencing anxiety and depression, which even led to temporary blindness in one eye.
The defence denied that Wright intentionally concealed the van, explaining it was moved to the Asda car park due to neighbour complaints. Wright is reportedly no longer working as a mechanic and is set to begin a new job as an Amazon delivery driver in August.
Source: Falmouth Packet
