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Suspended sentence for semi-pro footballer who made dishonest whiplash claim (18 April 2016)

Date: 18/04/2016
Duncan Lewis, Legal News Solicitors, Suspended sentence for semi-pro footballer who made dishonest whiplash claim

A semi-professional footballer caught tweeting about playing football 24 hours after making a dishonest insurance claim for whiplash has been sentenced to four months in jail, suspended for 12 months, after admitting contempt of court.

Gary Burnett, 24, made the claim following an accident at a McDonald’s drive-thru restaurant in Birkenhead, Merseyside, in October 2013.

Burnett claimed he had suffered injuries to his neck and back, which left him unable to play for his team – Cheshire-based Northwich Victoria – for around four weeks.

However, on social media, he posted a tweet referring to an away match he was playing in, just one day after the accident.

Burnett also boasted about playing in and scoring in the FA Trophy less than three weeks after the accident.

At a court hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice in London, Burnett admitted being in contempt of court – he has already been ordered to pay costs of more than £11,000 to insurer Aviva, after Wigan County Court ruled his claim was fundamentally dishonest in July 2015.

Solicitor General Robert Buckland QC MP instigated contempt proceedings in 2015. After the High Court hearing, Mr Buckland said:

“This is a serious case, highlighted by blatant dishonesty and a clear contempt by the offender.

“Burnett knowingly lied in order to benefit himself – and the public interest demanded that proceedings be taken forward.

“Burnett is now deservedly paying the penalty for his actions – and I hope this sends a message to anyone tempted to try and do the same thing.”

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