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Posted on the 15th April 2025 in PHTM News
BARGOED TAXI BOSS CONVICTED OF FRAUD FOR FAKING WAV SAFETY CERTIFICATES
A former taxi boss from Bargoed has been found guilty of fraud after admitting to falsifying safety certificates for wheelchair-accessible vehicles used to transport children to school.
Peter Roland Banwell, 62, the former director of Banwell Buses Ltd, trading as Beeline Taxis, appeared at Cardiff Crown Court on April 8, 2024, where he pleaded guilty to fraud by misrepresentation.
The court heard that between June 2023 and May 2024, Banwell's company held 14 contracts with Caerphilly County Borough Council requiring vehicles equipped with lifting equipment.
These vehicles are legally required to undergo biannual safety checks under the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER), with successful inspections resulting in the issuance of a LOLER certificate, proof of which must be submitted to the council every six months.
Suspicion arose when nine certificates submitted to the council on May 24, 2024, were dated December 15, 2024 – a date yet to come. Further investigation revealed a total of 26 fraudulent certificates dating back to May and December 2023.
As a result, the council suspended the nine vehicles in question, and subsequent inspections revealed defects in all of them, with two deemed unsafe.
During the period the uncertified vehicles were operating under council contracts, Banwell Buses Ltd received £253,550. Following the discovery of the fraudulent activity, Banwell confessed to forging the certificates and resigned as the company's director.
Banwell received a two-year prison sentence, suspended for two years, and was ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work.
His company, Banwell Buses Ltd, was fined £12,000, and Banwell now faces further action under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
Councillor Philippa Leonard condemned Banwell's actions, stating: "Mr Banwell's use of unsafe vehicles showed a clear disregard for child safety, resulting in fraud against the council. This prosecution sends a strong message that we will not tolerate fraud and remain committed to protecting passengers and upholding operational integrity."
His Honour Judge Khan, while acknowledging Banwell's previous good character, strongly rebuked him for his actions, labeling them as "stupidity" and telling him he was "dishonest, had lost his good character and looks to lose financially due to proceeds of crime proceedings."
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