A bogus car repair specialist who swindled more than £50,000 out of insurance companies with bogus claims has walked free from court

David Saunders, who worked for a Darlington windscreen company, was told by a judge that his excellent work in a deprived community had saved him from an immediate prison sentence.

Saunders submitted invoices to three leading insurance firms for fictitious windscreen repair work for their customers for almost four years.

Ian West, prosecuting, told the court that Saunders made £52,674 between August 2002 and when the con came to light in the spring of 2006.

Norwich Union paid Saunders more than £33,000, Axa handed over more than £12,000 and Alliance Cornhill almost £7,500.

The court heard that Saunders still runs AutoScreens NorthEast, employs six people and insurance companies are continuing to use him.

Brian Russell, mitigating, described Middlesbrough man Saunders, who has no previous convictions, as being of positive good character.

Judge Peter Fox, QC, imposed a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, with probation service supervision.

Saunders, of Parkgate, Middlesbrough admitted 16 specimen counts of obtaining a money transfer by deception and asked for a further 92 to be taken into account.