Fraudulent carpet fitter has rug pulled out from under him by Admiral and HF

A fraudulent carpet-fitting has been exposed following an investigation by HF and Admiral Insurance, resulting in a £600,000 saving for the insurer.

Self-employed carpet fitter Gary Brearley, 58, claimed injuries resulting from a 2019 road traffic accident left him unable to work and severely limited his mobility, adding that his two-storey home was no longer suitable and he needed funding for a bungalow with a home gym.

However, surveillance footage and other evidence exposed that Brearley had exaggerated his condition, leading to the dismissal of his claim.

Brearley, who lost his right leg in a previous accident in 2002, told medical experts that he had been working 40 hours per week as a carpet fitter before the 2019 crash.

He described himself as “extremely fit” before the accident, able to walk long distances and engage in activities like motorcross.

He claimed that the accident had left him unable to continue working and caused significant physical limitations.

However, Brearley had also misled the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) since 2016, stating that he could only walk 10-20 metres even with his prosthesis and required significant care from his wife.

Surveillance footage presented at trial contradicted his claims, showing him walking without assistance and performing daily activities that he had said were impossible for him.

In turn, at trial, Brearley made allegations of dishonesty against the two medical experts instructed by Admiral Insurance.

He also made allegations that he was being persecuted by all others involved in the case.

False job earnings

In addition to misrepresenting his health, Brearley claimed he had been offered a job with Nu Look Flooring, which would have provided him with earnings of £400 to £500 per week.

The business owner, however, confirmed that no job offer had been made and that Brearley had only been referred potential work. This false job offer formed a key part of Brearley’s inflated claim for lost earnings.

Judge Bird found Brearley’s entire £360,000 claim to be dishonest, assessing the true value of the claim at just £38,000.

The court described Brearley as a “wholly unsatisfactory and unreliable witness,” with the judge stating that his testimony was intended to deceive the court.

In turn, Brearley was ordered to pay more than £100,000 in legal costs.

Alex Wilkinson, partner and head at HF’s large loss fraud team, said: “This result sends a clear message to anyone tempted to exaggerate their claims – it simply isn’t worth it.”

Stuart Cook, head of technical claims at Admiral, said: “While Mr Brearley suffered serious injuries, he deliberately misled the court about the true extent of those injuries. We’re pleased with the outcome, which demonstrates that dishonesty will not be tolerated.”