Disqualified driver gave police best friend's details after crashing into car
A woman disqualified from driving gave police the name and date of birth of her best friend following a collision.
Charlotte Evans, 30, had used her friend's name to insure the car as well as when police asked her for further details on the vehicle and collision. The 30-year-old had purchased a Vauxhall Corsa on April 3, 2021, and insured it under the name Chloe Cavell. She and Ms Cavell had been friends for 21 years, with Ms Evans previously convicted of drink driving. Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court has since heard Evans did not seek permission from Chloe to use her name on the insurance.
Further statements to the court revealed Chloe had been completely unaware her friend was using her name to bring out the car insurance. Charlotte's drink driving conviction had led to a disqualification from driving. Evans was involved in a collision on April 9, 2021, in Arthur Street, Tonypandy. She hit a parked car and police say her speech was "slurred" at the time and her behaviour was erratic. Upon being prompted for details, Evans gave the name Chloe Cavell and provided her best friend's date of birth.
Merthyr Tydfil police station conducted a breathalyser test, with Evans measuring 32 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath, below the drink drive limit. She continued to use the false name and was later released by police, WalesOnline reported. Prosecutor Nuhu Gobir says Ms Cavell was at work when learning about the collision on social media, which mentioned her name. Police were then contacted by Chloe, telling the force she was not at the scene.
When enquiring about why Evans had used her name, the defendant claimed she had done so to not affect her other case in family court. She said "one thing led to another" when it came to taking out insurance in Chloe's name. A "frustrated and panicked" Charlotte had taken a drink after taking out a non molestation order against her ex partner. This series of events, she says, is what caused her to give false details to police. She claimed however that Ms Cavell and herself had taken out the insurance together.
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Mr Gobir says the prosecution denied this and Ms Cavell's stress at receiving debt letters and insurance company phone calls in relation to the collision was noted. Ms Evans pleaded guilty to one count of fraud and one count of perverting the court of justice. The court heard she had previous for battery, driving with excess alcohol, and ill treatment of a child.
Andrew Kendal said his client's circumstances were "exceptional" and there was a chance of rehabilitation. It was noted his client was in debt of £7,000 and only made £700 a month. Recorder Mark Powell KC, in sentencing, said: "You have caused (the victim) considerable distress and impairment by police coming to speak to her." Evan was sentenced to six months imprisonment, suspended for 18, and ordered to carry out a 20 day rehabilitation course, as well as pay £250 in costs.
A previous version of this article reporting that Charlotte Evans had pleaded guilty to two counts of perverting the course of justice. In fact, Evans pleaded guilty to one count of fraud and one count of perverting the course justice. We are happy to clarify this and the article has been amended accordingly.
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