Bogus firm boss who laundered £79 million for Rotherham crime family set to pay back just £5

He helped the family wash more than £79million in dirty cash for organised crime groups across the country.

At a proceeds of crime (POCA) hearing at Sheffield Crown Court on Friday (Jul 3), he was said to have received £42,145.25 however the court heard the hard-up former dodgy firm stooge had only £20.72 to his name.

Knocking the £20.72 down to a fiver, Judge David Dixon told Williams, of Thorpe Hesley, Rotherham: “Some time ago your available amount was as low as £20.

“I will fix a nominal amount of £5. What you need to know about that nominal amount is I can come after you for the full £42,145.25 at any time. If you win the lottery tonight I will come knocking at your door.”

Williams’ role in the mirky laundry business was much lesser than others including family members such as sons Dominic and Spencer Leadbeater, who acted as “collectors” picking up bags of cash in shady carpark handovers.

Patriarch Roan Leadbeater who was described as the “key player” who “led, controlled and orchestrated it all,” fled the country before he could be brought to trial.

There were 12 members of the gang in all including mum Claire Leadbeater and aunt Coral Wade. The rest were a mix of stooges and accountants assisting in the conspiracy.

Headquarters for the shifty enterprise was the Leadbeater family home on Benfield Avenue in the Rotherham suburb of Broom.

Appearing alongside Williams at Sheffield Crown Court on Friday was Coral Wade - who held a significant role in the running of three sham companies, through which “many millions of pounds of criminal property were laundered.”

Wade, 53, of Broom Lane, Rotherham, had earned £245,543.95 the court heard, and she still had £146,176 of that - which she was given three months to pay back.

Six other members of the gang were present for POCA proceedings, however their cases were adjourned.

Members of the Leadbeater crime family have already previously been sentenced for the conspiracy, which “facilitated the movement of £79million” between October 2016 and March 2019.

Some such as mum Claire Leadbeater - who allowed “millions of pounds” through her address, and also instructed her sons to “do their bit - were jailed, in her case for 84 months .

Others such as courier Kevin Window, aged 43, of Fambridge Road, Maldon, received suspended jail terms.

However dad Roan Leadbeater fled the country along with his son Spencer before they could be brought to justice.

Gang members’ roles and the sentences passed down in September 2025

Roan Leadbeater, described as the “key player” in the conspiracy who “led, controlled and orchestrated it all,” has fled the country - leaving the jurisdiction - along with his son Spencer.

Judge Dixon branded Roan a “coward,” before adding: “Running to a country outside of the jurisdiction where he is unlikely to be returned, but leaving his family ... to face the music.”

“He has managed to get one of his sons out of the jurisdiction to be with him, but his elder boy and his wife he has simply thrown aside.”

During a sentencing hearing held in July 2025, Claire Leadbeater was sentenced to 84 months in prison, while son Dominic was jailed for 68 months, and aunt Coral Wade for 52 months.

Describing each of their roles, Judge Dixon said Claire Leadbeater, then aged 56, allowed “millions of pounds” through her address, and also instructed her sons to “do their bit.”

“I accept you were under your husband’s control to a degree, but you were still actively involved and aware of things…you were active in assisting over a million pounds out of the jurisdiction,” he told Claire Leadbeater, of Roebuck Chase, Rotherham.

She was found guilty of money laundering offences under the Proceeds of Crime Act (2002), following a trial at the same court which concluded in March 2025.

Judge Dixon described Dominic Leadbeater as his dad’s “right hand man.”

“He did what was asked of him. He collected cash. He counted cash. He transferred funds here, there and wherever was required. His hands were more than dirty from the illicit cash he was laundering,” said Judge Dixon, adding: “Dominic was living well from his actions. He had a number of very expensive watches, a nice car, and more. He was in my view enjoying the rewards of the criminal activity.”

He noted, however, that Dominic was “acting under direction” and was “only young at the time.”

Dominic Leadbeater, then aged 28, formerly of Bentfield Avenue, Rotherham and Dubai, pleaded guilty during his trial of money laundering offences.

Spencer Leadbeater “played his part in collecting cash at the very least,” said Judge Dixon.

Just like his dad, Spencer Leadbeater is believed to still be in a country outside of the jurisdiction, and as such, has not yet been brought to justice.

Coral Wade, meanwhile, held a significant role in the running of three of the sham companies, through which “many millions of pounds of criminal property were laundered.”

Wade, then aged 53, of Broom Lane, Rotherham, was jailed for four years, four months after pleading guilty in November 2024 to money laundering offences.

OCG members outside of the Leadbeater family

Paul Williams’ involvement was limited to the “activity of a single sham company,” as part of which he played a “limited function” under direction.

Williams pleaded guilty in December 2024 to money laundering offences and was jailed for 45 months.

Stephen Osborne, then aged 50, was responsible for five cash handovers during which an estimated amount of £2,396,270 is believed to have been collected.

The amount is based on entries in notebooks recovered from the Leadbeater family home, in which careful records of the cash received and what happened to it were kept.

Osbourne was jailed for six years, after being found guilty of money laundering offeces at the conclusion of the March 2025 trial.

Neil Steer, then aged 45, used his experience as a trained accountant to provide advice as to what might happen if transfers were queried, in addition to identifying that other accounts would be needed.

Judge Dixon described his role as being “of assistance to the overall scheme.”

Steer, of East Avenue, Rotherham,received a sentence of 20 months’ custody, suspended for two months, along with a three-month curfew. He pleaded guilty during his trial to money laundering offences.

Kevin Window and Michael Woolley had the role of “couriers.”

Window, then aged 43, of Fambridge Road, Maldon pleaded guilty during his trial to money laundering offences.. He was sentenced to 18 weeks’ custody, suspended for 18 months in July 2025.

Woolley, then aged 77, of Abbott Crescent, Farnsfield, also pleaded guilty during his trial to money laundering offences. He was sentenced to 13 months’ custody, suspended for two years, in July 2025.

Craig Hawley, also an accountant, used his professional skills to move over £1m of criminal property in what Judge Dixon described as “sustained activity.”

Hawley, aged 55, of Aughton Road, Sheffield was sentenced to 24 months’ custody, suspended for 18 months, along with a three-month curfew after pleading guilty during his trial.

Rachel Greene, aged 54, of Windmill Avenue, Grimethorpe, Barnsley, helped to move in excess of £4.5million through the use of a sham company.

Judge Dixon accepted Greene was acting under the direction of her partner at the time.

Greene pleaded guilty to money laundering and was sentenced to 24 months’ custody suspended for 18 months, along with a three-month curfew.