Suspended sentence for man ‘extremely complicit’ in Longford false insurance claim crash
Judge Kenneth Connolly: 'I can normally figure what has happened but this has left me flummoxed'
A man who made a false statement to Gardaí and claimed he did not know his partner following a crash that led to a third co-accused falsely bringing a €60,000 personal injuries claim, has received a suspended prison sentence.
Janis Bukks (34) of 1 Mostrim Oaks, Edgeworthstown, Co Longford appeared before Longford Circuit Court for sentencing last week.
He was one of three co-accused charged with making false statements and attempting to make gain or cause loss to another by deception.
The case related to a collision Mr Bukks was involved in on April 10, 2018 when he rear-ended a blue Volkswagen Golf being driven by his then girlfriend Diana Jakubovskaja (36).
Gardaí attended the scene and were satisfied it was a genuine collision.
Garda Denise Dockery, who attended the scene, established Mr Bukks was insured with Liberty Insurance and he had a full licence.
The defendant stated he had been moving house from Drumlish to Longford on the day in question.
There were two personal injury claims made through Mr Bukks' insurance company Liberty Insurance.
The first was made by Ms Jakubovskaja for damages done to her car and personal injuries while the second was made by the third co-accused Kristina Mieliauskaite (35) formerly of 34 Oliver Plunkett Street, Mullingar, Co Westmeath but now living in England.
Garda Dockery said there was no backseat passenger in the Golf and Ms Jakubovskaja also stated she had been the only occupant in her vehicle.
However, Ms Mieliauskaite claimed in a written submission to Liberty Insurance that she had been present and left the scene before the Gardaí arrived due to a family issue.
Gardaí carried out their inquiries and found no evidence she was there.
Ms Mieliauskaite, a mother of one, was found guilty of making a false statement and attempting to make gain last November when she was sentenced to 15-months in prison.
Meanwhile, Ms Jakubovskaja, who was deemed to be less culpable, was sentenced last November to two years in prison with the entire sentence suspended for a period of five years.
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Mr Bukks’ case was subsequently adjourned to the January sittings after Judge Kenneth Connolly requested a probation report and last week he was told the defendant was at a low risk of reoffending.
The defendant, a father of one, had no previous convictions.
Judge Connolly said it was a very strange case.
"I can normally figure what has happened but this has left me flummoxed," he added.
Judge Connolly said it was 'unfathomable' that immediately at the scene Mr Bukks pretended he did not know his girlfriend Ms Jakubovskaja.
Judge Connolly also noted the damage in the collision had been extreme.
"If this was staged then I know from experience the damage would have been minimal," he added.
Judge Connolly said the motive was unclear, however, it may have been an attempt to try to add a third person Ms Mieliauskaite to the genuine collision so their friend also received some insurance settlement.
The amount spent by Liberty Insurance investigating the matter and on the claims process was an estimated €25,979 and Judge Connolly said that was an aggravating factor.
Judge Connolly said he felt Mr Bukks was 'extremely complicit' but he noted his positive employment history, his lack of previous convictions and his guilty plea.
He stated Mr Bukks seemed to be a decent, hardworking member of society and he sentenced him to 15 months imprisonment, which was suspended for three years.