Shrewsbury woman in crash cash claim facing jail
Friday 9th December 2011, 1:00PM GMT.
A former medical secretary from Shrewsbury is facing a possible jail term after being spotted by a private investigator walking around shops despite claiming that she needed a wheelchair in a £40,000 compensation claim, the High Court has heard.
Fiona Howard, of Leafields, in Harlescott, is to face contempt of court proceedings for allegedly lying in the claim for compensation following a car crash.
Marcus Grant, for National Farmers’ Union Mutual, told the court yesterday that Mrs Howard already needed a stimulator for pain relief, due to a skiing injury, when she was involved in a crash with a driver insured by his clients in 2006.
In 2010, Mrs Howard made a statement claiming the crash meant the stimulator no longer relieved her pain and she needed a wheelchair to get around.
Mr Grant said a pre-trial compensation claim filed by Mrs Howard estimated her damages at £40,000.
But he added that when she was tailed by private investigators for the insurers, she was seen going about her business on foot on at least four days.
He told the court the only time she was seen in a wheelchair was when she made a visit to a medical expert for an examination.
William Featherby QC, for Mrs Howard, said the compensation claim was eventually settled for £15,000, which she has not received.
He told judges this was not a case of contempt of court because her actions had not affected the course of justice or the eventual outcome of the claim.
But Lord Justice Pill, sitting with Mr Justice Singh, rejected those arguments.
“In my judgment this is a case where, having regard to the public interest and the circumstances disclosed, permission should be granted,” he said.
The case will now go to a full High Court hearing at which Mrs Howard could be jailed if proved in contempt of court.
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