Speeding scam gang jailed

The masterminds behind a scam to help drivers escape motoring convictions have been jailed.

The Bury-based criminals group helped those caught speeding or driving through red lights to avoid fines and penalty points by providing false information on official forms.

Several Oldham motorists who admitted using the scam have already been sentenced.

The gang would accept notices of intended prosecution sent to the registered keeper of the vehicle — to discover who was driving at the time of the offence — and for a fee supply false information, directing police to an address in Bury.

A new notice, sent to the false name and address by police would be endorsed and returned but then correspondence would cease and the trail go cold.

The scam was identified by police and five offenders arrested in Bury last month. More than £5,100 was recovered, which Oldham Magistrates ordered to be forfeited.

Kamran Afzal (30), of Walmersley Road, Bury, and Shehla Javed (31), of Norden Road, Heywood, were found guilty of perverting the course of justice after a trial. Javed was sentenced to four months imprisonment. Afzal will be sentenced on September 16. Others involved in the scam were also jailed for varying periods

Peter Burford (34) of Chestnut Street, Chadderton, Mohammed Qasim Ali (33) of Heron Street, Oldham, Dale Gowers (32), of Lyndhurst Avenue, Chadderton, and nine other offenders all pleaded guilty to using the scam and were sentenced at an earlier date.