A MOTHER tried to defraud a Bolton van hire firm by reporting a crash — but was rumbled when the company used hi-tech tracking software to prove she had made it up.

Suzanne Leach claimed her Peugeot 307 had been in a collision with the Mercedes Sprinter van on November 23 last year at about 7.30pm.

But U-Drive's tracking devices showed that the van was not on the A6 in Bolton — where Leach claimed the crash had taken place — but making a journey from Pegamoid Street in Tonge Moor to Bertha Street in Halliwell.

Stuart Lever, owner of U-Drive, in Blackburn Road, said the conviction would warn people that tracker systems on vans mean that people will no longer get away with fraudulent crash claims.

He warned that crash-for-cash scams are in danger of killing van hire companies, with his firm paying £4,400 every month to fit the tracker systems.

Leach's claim was for £485 for damage to her car, and she made personal injury claims for herself and three passengers, which amounted to £28,000, according to Mr Lever.

She was given a six-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, and was also ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work at Ormskirk Magistrates’ Court.

She had admitted fraud by false representation at an earlier hearing.

Mr Lever said: "We are not putting up with this.

"The sentence is a bit lower than we would have liked but this will stay with her for a long time.

"I have helped the insurance company and police through this the whole way — I am just glad it is all over now.

"It is a great result for all van hire firms as it shows people will not get away with these sort of claims."

The tracking devices were able to prove that the van did not stop or have a collision at the time stated by Leach, aged 45, of Hurst Green, Mawdesley.

The device also showed the van had at one point even been parked outside Leach's home in Mawdesley — even though it was not Leach who hired the vehicle.

The van was hired by a third party known to Leach but he did not face any charges in relation to the fraud.

Mr Lever added: "Bolton is now becoming a town where people are charged really high insurance premiums, or not being covered at all, because of the actions of people such as Suzanne Leach.

"This has got to be stamped out and I have spoken with the council about the issue already.

"This is having a knock-on effect on Bolton. Employers won't want to move here as the premiums will be high."