A fraudster used a fake name to take out finance on a brand-new £45,000 BMW then stopped making payments after two months. 

Christopher Hudson, 44, of Sunray Avenue in Bromley, bought a 320i M-Sport from a local dealership under the name of Jeremy Trodwell. 

He then failed to make payments and when the finance company finally heard from him five months later he lied that he was in hospital with Covid and had been for the past two months, but he would make full payments including any arrears as soon as he got out. 

But when Hudson made no further payments his agreement was terminated and it was ordered that the BMW should be repossessed. 

However, the vehicle could not be found at the address it was registered to in Hampton, Peterborough. 

Hudson and the car were eventually tracked to Gatwick Airport in August 2022.

The car was registered to his friend Jeremy Trodwell and he was unaware whether the payments were up to date. 

Because he could not produce any ID or proof of insurance officers explained the car would be seized. 

Hudson then admitted he used to go by the name Jeremy Trodwell. 

He later pleaded guilty to fraud and on Friday (August 2) he was sentenced tp 15 months suspended for two years. 

PC Christopher Ogden, who investigated for Cambridgeshire Police, said: “It’s quite clear Hudson never had any intention of paying for the vehicle when he took out the finance. He used a different name, a false address and claimed he was seriously ill with Covid, all to avoid making payments. 

“His fraudulent behaviour cost the finance company thousands of pounds and months of hassle. It’s an insult to other law-abiding citizens who live within their means and pay their dues. If you can’t afford a brand new BMW, you can’t have one. 

“I hope this shows how seriously we take these crimes – we will always strive to put offenders before the courts.” 

Hudson was also ordered to pay prosecution costs and a victim surcharge totalling more than £1,000 and carry out 100 hours of unpaid work.