Archive - Tuesday, 13 January 2004


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Abergavenny car dealer jailed for cheque fraud

A SECOND-HAND car dealer who turned to fraud to help solve serious money problems has been jailed for nine months at Cardiff Crown Court.

At one time, said his counsel, Meirion Davies, Paul Cavalli, aged 37, had had debts of £250,000, which he paid off.

Cavalli, of Hollywell Crescent, Abergavenny, pleaded guilty to the fraudulent evasion of a liability, and forgery.

Judge David Wynn Morgan said Cavalli had done nothing to solve his problems.

Prosecutor Evan Jenkins said Cavalli had a business relationship with Michael Crandon, who ran Two Locks Garage, Cwmbran, selling second-hand cars.

In June he became aware that a cheque of his had been honoured for £12,700, made out to S S Parfitt.

Cavalli later said he had taken the cheque and forged it because he was desperate to pay off a debt of £20,000.

Barclays, the bank concerned, had reimbursed the loser.

Cavalli was said to have previous convictions for offences of dishonesty arising out of a failed business venture.

Mr Davies, said: "He has been subjected to extraordinary pressure because of debts. "He has been assaulted, his face has been marked, his nose was broken and his wife was intimidated."

The offences, he said, were committed out of fear.

Even when serving a prison sentence in the past he had received phone calls from creditors. "This man was drowning. He didn't know what to do and was desperately in need of debt counselling."