Bassist For U.K. GUNS N' ROSES Tribute Band Could Face Jail Time Over 'Fraudulent' Disability Claim

According to Manchester Evening News, a bassist for a U.K. GUNS N' ROSES tribute band could face two years in prison after bringing a "fraudulent" £300,000 compensation claim over "disabling" thumb injuries at work.

Anthony James Dermody's right thumb was crushed during an accident at work in 2011. His employers at U.K. infrastructure operator Network Rail admitted liability and the 28-year-old instructed lawyers to claim £300,000, insisting that he "could not do any of the activities he enjoyed before the accident."

However, Dermody's case fell apart when he was videotaped playing the role of Duff McKagan — under the pseudonym Dermo Rose Sheen — in the GUNS N' ROSES cover band GUNS OR ROSES.

Prosecution barrister William Featherby QC told London's High Court: "This is a claimant who said he suffered a very serious injury to his right thumb — which incidentally is his guitar playing thumb.

"For many years afterwards, and still, he plays bass guitar in a very energetic heavy metal band, known as GUNS OR ROSES.

"He now claims he has developed a new technique for paying the guitar which places no strain on his thumb."

Dermody did not attend the court hearing and was not represented.

High Court judge Justice Edis granted permission for proceedings to be brought to have Dermody committed to prison for contempt of court. The judge said: "There is a strong prima facie case that Mr. Dermody did consciously exaggerate his claim in order to increase the damages that he hoped to receive.

"The evidence before the court is capable of showing that he was functioning relatively normally as the bass guitarist in a heavy metal rock group which travelled substantial distances in order to put on its performances. That is inconsistent with his presentation of his case'."

Dermody and his mother, who allegedly "knew all about his activities" but still went ahead and backed up her son's bogus claim in a sworn statement, face a full hearing of Network Rail's bid to have them jailed.