Chester man jailed for submitting fake documents to Mold Court

Jason Mead, of Shelley Road in Chester, appeared at Mold Crown Court on Wednesday morning for sentence.

The 39-year-old had previously admitted that in Mold between October and November 2020, he committed acts with intent to pervert the course of public justice, in that he submitted two fraudulent medical certificates.

Nicholas Williams, prosecuting, explained that in October of 2020 the defendant was due to appear at Mold Magistrates Court, having been charged with an offence of making off without payment.

He didn't attend and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

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But then the court received an email from Mead's solicitor enclosing a medical note and asking for the warrant to be withdrawn.

The note, purportedly from a "Doctor Mitchell," explained the defendant was in hospital due to a recurring sinus problem and he was likely to remain there for four to six weeks.

The warrant was withdrawn and when he was due back up in November, the court received a further note from "Doctor Mitchell," explaining the defendant had undergone surgery for the sinus problem and he was likely to remain in hospital for a further two weeks.

But the court's duty legal officer wasn't satisfied with the note and when enquiries were made with the defendant's surgery, it was discovered the doctor who supposedly wrote the notes was no longer there.

Jason Mead. Image: North Wales Police

Mr Williams said the fake notes caused a knock on effect on other cases and had wasted court time.

He was eventually convicted for the making off without payment offence in 2021 and received a short custodial sentence.

Peter Barnett, defending, said his client's best mitigation was his early guilty plea in relation to the doctor's notes.

He said Mead had developed a skin condition for which he was medicated, which in turn had affected his immune system.

The plasterer has been trying to get back into work despite the condition, he added.

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Mr Barnett conceded that "any manipulation of the court system is a serious matter."

Judge Rhys Rowlands told the defendant he'd decided to "string out" the proceedings because he feared he'd be sent to prison - which he eventually was.

"The court relies on documentation," he told the Mead.

"If someone starts forging it, it creates untold difficulties."

The Judge said that while there had been an "unjustifiable" delay in bringing his case to court, there had to be an element of deterrence in his sentence.

Giving him full credit for his early guilty plea, the Judge jailed Mead for five months.

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