A businesswoman was told to think about her “relationship choices” after her criminal boyfriend persuaded her to take part in a speeding scam. Company boss Carly Steed, 35, gave fake names to officials after her BMW 3 series twice set off speed cameras in just a few weeks.
On the forms to disclose who was driving, Steed – who runs her own dog grooming firm – insisted she wasn’t to blame and instead gave a false name and address. A court heard that an investigation began after a third Notice of Intended Prosecution form was sent to Steed when her VW Caddy van was clocked going over the limit and she again said a man called Jake Davies was behind the wheel.
Prosecutor Paul Hewitt said no man called Jake Davies was traced at the address Steed had given to officials and she was later arrested. Steed told cops her career criminal boyfriend Ryan Parry had persuaded her to use the fake name as he had been in the car while serving a road ban – but that he wasn’t the driver. For the latest court reports, sign up to our crime newsletter here
Mr Hewitt said: “She was pressured by her partner into acting as she did.” Mr Hewitt said that an investigation into others possibly involved in the scam was ongoing and that others had “used the same name and address” to dodge driving bans.
Steed initially denied perverting the course of justice but later admitted two charges on the day of her trial on the basis that she wasn’t the driver who was speeding. Hashim Salman, defending, said: “Miss Steed is genuinely remorseful. There is a realistic prospect of rehabilitation.”
Steed – who runs her own dog grooming firm – insisted she wasn’t to blame
(Image: WALES NEWS SERVICE)
Cardiff Crown Court heard Steed was planning on continuing her relationship with Parry who is currently on license for other crimes when his sentence expires. Judge Simon Mills told Steed: “Because of the nature of how he treats you he persuaded you to fill the forms in.
“You are a person who should know much better. Somebody that’s responsible enough to run their own business with employees, you should have just known better to say ‘no’ to this wicked man who got you to behave in this way and exerted coercive control over you.
“You’re not going to be punished for your choice of partner but you really do need to think about whether he’s a suitable person for you but I’m not here of lecturing you on your relationship choices. Whether such a person is capable of change or not is something only you can judge.”
Judge Mills said the scam “looks like a commercial scheme to help people dodge their points” and avoid driving bans – and that at least two people had avoided prosecution due to Steed’s actions. He added: “There’s nothing sophisticated about what you did but what lies behind it – which you’re not responsible for – is likely to be sophisticated and planned.” Steed, of Pontypool, was handed a nine-month suspended sentence for 18 months, ordered to pay £2,000 prosecution costs and carry out 150 hours community service.