| Peter Roland Banwell, 62, a former company director and taxi operator from Bargoed, appeared at Cardiff Crown Court on 8 April 2024, where he pleaded guilty to fraud by misrepresentation for falsifying safety certificates on wheelchair-accessible vehicles regarding lifting equipment |
| The court heard that between June 2023 and May 2024, while Banwell was a director of Banwell Buses Ltd (trading as Beeline Taxis), the company held contracts with Caerphilly County Borough Council to transport children to schools, including 14 contracts requiring vehicles with lifting equipment. Vehicles must undergo biannual safety checks under the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 to ensure the equipment is safe. A LOLER certificate is issued upon passing. The council requires taxi operators to submit proof of these tests and certificates every six months. On 24 May 2024, nine certificates were sent to the council, but were suspected of being falsified as they were dated for a future date, 15 December 2024. Further investigation revealed that 26 certificates, including those from May and December 2023, were all fraudulent. The court heard that the nine vehicles were suspended by Caerphilly CBC until properly inspected. All had defects, with two deemed unsafe. While servicing the council contract with uncertified vehicles, Banwell Buses Ltd received £253,550. Upon the fraud’s discovery, Peter Banwell admitted to forging the certificates and resigned as the company’s director. Mr Banwell was given a 2-year prison sentence, suspended for 2 years and ordered to carry out 150 hours unpaid work. The Company also received a £12,000 fine and BANWELL now faces action under the Proceeds of Crime Act. Councillor Philippa Leonard stated, ” 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. In sentencing His Honour Judge Khan, in acknowledging BANWELL’s previous good character, admonished him for his “stupidity”, telling him he was “dishonest”, had “lost his good character” and looks to “lose financially” due to Proceeds of Crime proceedings |
Bargoed taxi boss convicted of fraud
