Solicitor sentenced over fraudulent pothole claims

Alkyhaan Nourani tried to trick Stoke-on-Trent City Council with false pothole claims

A solicitor who tried to hoodwink a council with fraudulent pothole claims has been sentenced.

Alkyhaan Nourani, of Lostock Road, Manchester, submitted claims linked to vehicle damage from potholes to Stoke-on-Trent City Council in November 2019 and April 2021.

They were found to be false after an investigation was carried out when the authority noticed an anomaly in an invoice Nourani provided from a dealership in April 2021.

The 37-year-old was found guilty of four counts of fraud in February and was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for two years, at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court.

He was also ordered to carry out 300 hours of unpaid work, abide by a 19:00 to 07:00 curfew for six months and pay £30,000 in costs as well as £874 for the fraudulent invoice.

Thursday's court hearing was told Nourani's role as a solicitor, who regularly dealt with personal injury claims, was an aggravating factor in the case and he had shown no remorse during the proceedings.

'Strong action'

Councillor Amjid Wazir said the authority would not tolerate fraud and had "robust checks in place" to protect taxpayers' money.

He said fraudulent claims take money away from essential public services like improving the road network.

"Fraud will not be ignored in Stoke-on-Trent – we will always take strong action to protect the public purse," he added.

Nourani has also been referred to the Solicitors Regulation Authority, the city council confirmed.