Benny Stringer was the criminal cousin of Gordon Cunningham. Struggling with debts after taking over the management of Parker's from owner Maddie Parker, Gordon's daughter Jude Cunningham began getting involved in Benny's dodgy deals, stealing cars for him. After taking a loan from him, Jude struggled with the repayments and Benny tried to convince her to make him a partner. After Jude's boyfriend Lewis Richardson became suspicious of Benny, Benny ended up telling him all about their activities. After Lewis broke up with her as a result, Jude threatened to go to the police, with Benny retaliating by trashing Parker's.
In November 1998, Jude's financial struggles continued so Benny arranged for her to marry his friend Roger Patterson in a sham ceremony at Burcroft Manor. However, the deal went disastrously when Jude was caught switching Lady Greythorne's necklace with a fake, forcing her to go on the run.