Annette Gallimore, 69, of Dudley Avenue, Bolton, has been convicted of fraud by false representation after fabricating a claim that she was assaulted and seriously injured by a security guard inside a Boots store. She has been ordered to pay thousands of pounds in fines and costs.
Gallimore falsely claimed she was knocked over by a security guard while collecting a shopping basket in a Boots store in Bolton, resulting in torn ligaments in her knee and bruising. She said she received hospital treatment for the alleged injuries.
Compensation Claim Referred to Fraud Unit
Police said Gallimore attempted to pursue a compensation claim against Aviva, whose insurance policy covered the store's security staff. Aviva referred the case to The Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department (IFED), a unit within the City of London Police dedicated to combatting insurance fraud.
The force said CCTV footage proved Gallimore was not assaulted or knocked to the ground at any point. An investigation was launched, and Gallimore was convicted after trial of a single count of fraud by false representation.
Sentencing and Financial Penalty
Gallimore was sentenced at Manchester and Salford Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, November 3. The charge covered a period between December 2019 and May 2021.
In a statement, the City of London Police said: "She alleged that, while collecting her shopping basket, she was knocked over by the security guard, causing torn ligaments in her knee and bruising, claiming she received treatment for these injuries at a local hospital."
"Using these allegations, Gallimore attempted to pursue a compensation claim against Aviva, whose insurance policy covered the store's security staff. However, CCTV footage of the incident clearly showed that Gallimore was neither assaulted nor knocked to the ground at any point, demonstrating that her claim was entirely false."
Gallimore was ordered to pay a total of £4,201 in fines and costs, to be paid within three months.
Aviva Response and IFED Role
Carl Mather, the manager of Aviva's UK General Insurance Special Investigations Unit, said after the case: "The overwhelming majority of customers are honest and rely on us to be there when they need support. We carefully consider every claim and are committed to paying genuine claims quickly and fairly."
"Where there is clear evidence of deliberate fraud, however, we will take appropriate and proportionate action to protect our customers and deter would-be fraudsters. Fraud pushes up costs for honest customers, and we will continue to work with the police to tackle it."
"This outcome demonstrates that insurance fraud has serious consequences and that nobody is above the law."
IFED is funded by the insurance industry via the Association of British Insurers (ABI) and has a national remit, investigating insurance fraud throughout England and Wales.
