BMW driver had 'no intention' of paying for car

Christopher Hudson told the car finance company that he could not make payments on his vehicle as he was in hospital with Covid

A man has pleaded guilty to fraud after he took out finance on a £45,000 BMW which police say he had no intention of paying for.

Christopher Hudson, 44, bought the 320i M Sport from a London dealership in October 2021, but stopped making payments after two months.

He used the name 'Jeremy Trodwell' and registered the address to Hampton, Peterborough. After stopping payments his agreement was terminated and a request to repossess the vehicle issued.

Hudson, of Sunray Avenue, Bromley, Greater London, was sentenced to 15 months, suspended for two years, at Huntingdon Law Courts on Friday.

'If you can’t afford a BMW, you can’t have one'

In March 2022, Hudson told his car company he was in hospital with Covid and had been for the past two months, but he would make payments and arrears when he got out.

No payments were made and attempts to recover the car at its registered address failed.

Police in Sussex received an ANPR hit for the vehicle, now classified as stolen, at Gatwick Airport in August 2022.

Hudson told police the car was registered to his friend Jeremy Trodwell and he was unaware whether the payments were up to date.

He also claimed he did not have any ID on him or proof of insurance.

Officers explained that without them the car would be seized and Hudson admitted that he used to go by the name Jeremy Trodwell.

PC Christopher Ogden said it was "quite clear" Hudson had no intention of paying for the vehicle when he took out the finance.

"He used a different name, a false address and claimed he was seriously ill with Covid, all to avoid making payments," he said.

“His fraudulent behaviour cost the finance company thousands of pounds and months of hassle."

Mr Ogden added: "It’s an insult to other law-abiding citizens who live within their means and pay their dues. If you can’t afford a brand new BMW, you can’t have one."

At court he was also ordered to pay prosecution costs and a victim surcharge totalling more than £1,000 and to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work.