Cardiff MOT tester sentenced for fraud after car involved in fatal crash

Neil John Lewis, 47, has been sentenced to a 12-month community order after pleading guilty to fraud by false representation regarding a vehicle MOT. Lewis, who operated G and J Motors in Cardiff, fraudulently passed a Volkswagen Tiguan despite being aware of safety defects, including issues with seatbelts and illuminated warning lights for the airbag system.

The vehicle was later involved in a fatal crash in March 2023 near St Mellons, Cardiff, which resulted in the deaths of Rafel Jeanne, 24, and passengers Darcy Ross, 21, and Eve Smith, 21. Two other passengers survived the collision with injuries.

While the prosecution did not request the fatal collision be treated as an aggravating factor, and the court did not establish that the fraudulent MOT directly caused the crash, District Judge Charlotte Murphy described Lewis’s actions as a “dereliction of his duty.” In addition to the community order, Lewis must complete 100 hours of unpaid work and pay legal costs and a victim surcharge.