Malmesbury conman Peter Zak lied about being banned from the road after he was involved in a car accident that landed him in hospital.

And the the 47-year-old businessman from Barley Close, Malmesbury, then launched a £32,708 insurance claim which included false details, despite not being covered because of his drink driving disqualification in July 2000.

But Zak, who had been banned as Peter Hallet, which he changed his name to in 1986, was found out after insurance company investigators were tipped off about his deceit.

Stephen Dent, prosecuting, told Swindon Crown Court Zak was involved in an accident on the A429 north of Crudwell on November 3, 2000.

Because of the size of the claim he said the insurance company looked into the matter themselves and shortly into their investigation they received an anonymous tip-off telling them Zak was a disqualified driver and that he was inflating his claim.

After Fortis insurance company handed its file to the police in 2003 Zak was arrested and admitted he was the same Peter Hallett, a disqualified driver, and that he had not told his insurance company.

The court heard Zak had a long list of previous convictions dating back to the 1960s, many of which were for deception.

Zak stuck to his story about the insurance claim but after further police investigations admitted about £4,500 was incorrect.

He pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice and attempting to obtain a money transfer by deception. Marcus Davey, defending, said Zak had a fledgling business called Prism Recording Company and asked for this to be taken into account when sentencing. Judge Tom Longbotham deferred passing sentence for about four months to find out more about Zak's business. He said he wanted to know more about the accounts and other investors in the firm.