Telematics box aids attempted murderer conviction

A ‘BLACK BOX’ telematics device fitted to a hire car has played a significant role in the conviction of an attempted murderer.

The device had been previously installed into a car hired by Daniel Paita, 32; a car he was driving on the day he carried out an attack on a man in Glasgow.

Paita had claimed he was nowhere near the area, but anti-motoring fraud experts at Asset Protection Unit Ltd (APU) were able to ascertain the car’s true whereabouts via a tracking device within the telematics unit.

This information was used by the police to trace Paita’s movements on the day of the attack and ultimately helped to convict him, in a case that had no witnesses other than the victim himself.

Speaking about the tracking device after the sentencing, APU’s Neil Thomas said: “It is extremely pleasing to have been an important cog in convicting an individual like this. It might never have happened at all had the device not been installed in his car.

“They are able to generate data about the inner workings of a vehicle but also show its location at any time, which is a great help to us, the Police and victims if vehicles are used for criminal activity.”

“APU works closely with several police forces in accordance with guidelines to share intelligence; it makes their job easier and increases the chance of identifying and convicting criminals.”

By Press Association reporter