'Cash for crash' boss Mark McCracken fakes woman's voice

The mastermind of a "cash for crash" fraud which netted more than £600,000 has been jailed.

Mark McCracken oversaw dozens of other people in the scam, which staged fake collisions and made bogus insurance claims, Carlisle Crown Court was told.

The 48-year-old, of Castlesteads Drive, Carlisle, admitted 13 charges of fraud and one of using false documents, and was jailed for seven years.

During a phone call to insurers he pretended to be woman to make a fraudulent claim for a car.