A gang from Weston Super-Mare has pleaded guilty to bike insurance scam which made the gang thousands after the claimed falsely for theft and accidents on no existent bikes.

Five people pleaded guilty to fraud charges. They were: Andrew Hall, aged 34, of Brompton Road, Oldmixon; Jody Cowell, 28, of Monkton Avenue, Weston; Duane Long, 20, of Thirlmere Road, Weston; Matthew Potter, 25, of Lonsdale Avenue, Weston; and Liam Lees, 22, of Locking Road, Weston.

The judge Jamie Tabor QC handed out a long a five-month curfew between 8pm and 6am as well as 40 hours unpaid work and told him to pay £20 a week compensation for a year. The judge handed Cowell a three-month curfew and told her to pay £10 a week for a year. Hall was given a six-month curfew and told to pay £10 a week compensation for two years.

The rest of the gang received shorter curfews and community service orders.