Mechanic Avoids Jail for Falsifying MOT on Car Involved in Fatal Crash
Neil Lewis, who passed a dangerous vehicle's inspection, receives a community order after three young people died.
A mechanic has avoided jail after fraudulently passing the MOT (Ministry of Transport) test on a car that was later involved in a fatal crash, resulting in the deaths of three young people. Neil Lewis, 47, owned G and J Motors and admitted to fraud by false representation.
The Volkswagen Tiguan had failed safety checks but was passed by Lewis, according to court proceedings. The vehicle veered off the road and crashed into trees near St Mellons, Cardiff, on March 4. The driver, Rafel Jeanne, 24, and passengers Darcy Ross and Eve Smith, both 21, died in the collision. Fellow passengers Sophie Russon, 20, and Shane Loughlin, 32, survived the crash with injuries.
The group had been traveling from Newport to the seaside resort of Porthcawl when the crash occurred. The friends were discovered in the wreckage two days later, following a search prompted by their families reporting them missing.
Prosecutor Francesca Parry stated that the Tiguan had previously been involved in a crash in Scotland in 2021, which resulted in damage to its wing mirror and deployed airbags. The vehicle also had illuminated airbag and seatbelt warning lights. Despite these issues, it was sold to a salvage company in Cardiff and subsequently to a friend of Mr. Jeanne without repair.
Further complicating the vehicle's safety, the Volkswagen failed an MOT on February 9, 2023, due to issues with the seatbelts and a warning light indicating a fault with either the seatbelt or airbag system. Lewis conducted a re-test and passed the vehicle with advisories.
Messages found on Lewis's phone indicated communication with the car's owner about the required repairs, with Lewis stating, "You've got to sort the seatbelt and the airbag light. I've passed the car though." The prosecution noted that the car's seatbelts had not been replaced since the 2021 accident.
Lewis was sentenced to a 12-month community order and 100 hours of community service. Previously, family members of Darcy Ross had confronted Lewis outside Cardiff Magistrates' Court, holding a photo of the deceased and calling out her name.
On the night of the crash, the group had visited a social club in Newport and traveled approximately 40 miles. The last confirmed sighting of them was in Cardiff shortly after 2 a.m. on the day of the crash. Court documents revealed that the individuals had consumed alcohol and inhaled nitrous oxide prior to the incident. In connection with the investigation, six police officers faced misconduct allegations, though two have since been cleared.