A Kirkby taxi driver who invented dozens of non-existent pets and claimed they died in dramatic accidents – including a dog plunging off Blackpool Pier while chasing a seagull – was sentenced
A taxi driver fraudulently claimed his dog had perished while pursuing a seagull as part of an elaborate deception scheme. Robert Cretu established dozens of insurance policies for pets that didn’t actually exist.
The fraudster, who was reportedly experiencing financial hardship due to his taxi constantly malfunctioning, subsequently alleged these imaginary dogs had perished in tragic mishaps. This led him to fabricate stories where one had supposedly leapt into the ocean from Blackpool Pier, while another was allegedly struck by a lorry during a journey to the Lake District.
Liverpool Crown Court was told this afternoon, Monday August 18, that Cretu submitted a total of 30 bogus claims to five separate insurers concerning fictitious dogs purportedly being killed, “usually by being hit by a car”.
The 40-year-old, of Lapwing Road in Kirkby, provided fraudulent documents and veterinary records as part of this con, which continued between December 2023 and August 2025 and netted him a total of £31,700. Sarah Egan, prosecuting, outlined how Cretu established the majority of these insurance policies using false identities, with the payouts also being transferred into bank accounts registered under other people’s names.
Eight of these claims were submitted to Pinnacle Pets UK, including one which resulted in him receiving £1,100 in March 2024 after alleging a dog called Lola had died after being hit by a lorry in the Lake District. Cretu also falsely claimed to several of the insurers that another pet, named Leo, had plunged into the sea from Blackpool Pier while pursuing a seagull.
However, some did not result in payment after doubts were raised over fraudulent activity, while other claims were either not ultimately completed or deemed invalid, reports the Liverpool Echo. One, concerning an allegedly deceased Doberman, was meanwhile turned down due to “excessive costs” and a lack of confirmation that a supposed subsequent cremation had actually occurred.
Rehabilitation
Cretu, who has no prior convictions, admitted to his crimes when questioned by detectives and “said the money had been spent on family finances”. Sarah Griffin, defending, told the court: “He is the sole bread winner.
“He stopped working as a factory supervisor and had very low income from his delivery jobs. He bought a taxi and says that the taxi broke down multiple times. It sounds as though it has been a combination of factors.
“He is still in work. He has remained out of trouble since September of 2025. There is clearly a realistic prospect of rehabilitation. He is an otherwise hard working man. He was a factory supervisor for many years and is now a taxi driver.
Busy dad
“Importantly, he is the sole provider for his family. His partner is not in work, but has a 10-year-old child.
“The defendant plays a full role as a father figure. He is very involved in the 10-year-old’s life.
“He is very concerned about the impact both on his partner and his partner’s child. The house is mortgaged in his partner’s name, but he is the sole income.
Guilty
“He is concerned that his partner and son may lose their home. He intends to pay the relevant insurers back from his income.”
Cretu pleaded guilty to five counts of fraud by false representation. Standing in the dock dressed in a khaki green long-sleeved shirt, he received a 20-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months alongside a rehabilitation activity requirement of up to 20 days.
During sentencing, Judge Gary Woodhall stated: “You made multiple applications to those insurers. You essentially obtained fraudulent insurance policies from the outset, either with false details or in your own name.
Remorse
“Those insurance companies and the insurance business generally has to invest heavily to try to stop the sort of things that you did. That increases fees for everybody else.
“You are of previous good character. You were born in Romania and were provided settled status in this country in 2019.
“You say that you were struggling financially. You have expressed remorse.
“Not present a risk to anyone else”
“There is some detail provided suggesting that your employment was the cause of your offending due to debt you had incurred. Your dates do not stack up, as far as that is concerned.
“You started working as a taxi driver in October 2024, and this offending started almost 12 months earlier. You have given differing accounts how the money been spent, whether on your taxi or on family finances.
“You now say that it is all of the above. Your account appears to be inconsistent and a way to explain away your repeated and prolonged activity. The total actual loss is £31,700.
“Further claims were unsuccessful. Your intended loss was greater than that which was actually sustained.
“I am just about persuaded that your remorse, the admissions from the outset and the fact there has been no further offending may well allow for a conclusion that there is a realistic prospect of rehabilitation in the community. Immediately custody will also substantially effect others.
“You do not present a risk to anyone else. The real question I have had to grapple with is whether this is a case where appropriate punishment can only be achieved by an immediate custodial sentence.
“Bearing in mind the period over which this occurred and the number of individual offences, those are factors that would indicate this is a case where appropriate punishment can only be achieved by an immediate custodial sentence. On balance, given the potential impact on others and the loss of employment that would flow from an immediate custodial sentence, I am just persuaded that this is a case where it is appropriate to suspend this sentence of imprisonment.”
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