Firefighter guilty in attempt to claim insurance by deception (From Penarth Times)

Firefighter guilty in attempt to claim insurance by deception

A FIREFIGHTER from Penarth has received a suspended sentence after claiming his murdered brother's 50,000 life insurance policy by deception.

Craig Davies, aged 45, of Plassey Street, Penarth, pleaded guilty at Gloucester Crown Court to making a false statement on oath on April 29 last year and attempting to obtain money by deception from Friends Provident on May 6, 2005.

The court heard how father-of-three Davies, who had an impeccable 17-year record in the fire service, had falsely claimed that murdered Cardiff underworld villain Courtney Davies had no other relatives but him.

In fact, Courtney had two children, two sisters and a father - all entitled to a share of his estate.

Judge Paul Darlow sentenced Davies to nine months' imprisonment suspended for 18 months.

The judge said his early guilty plea, previous good character and the circumstances of his brother's death had spared him an immediate jail term.

Courtney Davies had taken a life insurance policy, worth 50,500 on his death, with Friends Provident in December 2002. He was found dead on December 19, 2004 in woodland alongside the A4156 near Coleford in Gloucestershire.

Courtney, of Trebanog Crescent, Rhumney, Cardiff, had been stabbed 70 times and his body set on fire.

The court heard how Craig Davies went to the Probate Office in Cardiff with proof of identity and swore on oath that his brother Courtney had died intestate, without issue and without surviving parents.

Just before the insurance company was to pay out the money, they heard of Courtney Davies' murder and checked with the police to verify the details. They then discovered the truth about the other relatives.