Criminals caught in payback drive

CRIMINALS who fail to pay back the proceeds of their crimes in West Yorkshire are being warned they face tough action and will be hauled before the courts again.

In the past six months crooks who failed to pay back cash when ordered to do so by the courts have received a total of 15 years added to their sentences, West Yorkshire Police said.

They also face having to stump up the cash that they owe on their release from prison.

West Yorkshire Police’s economic crime unit is working with the courts and the Crown Prosecution Service to ensure confiscation notices are paid in full – if this is not done criminals will face a further prison sentence.

Under the Proceeds of Crime Act cash and assets can be confiscated from criminals in order to repay the benefits they have received through their crimes.

In May and July five defendants appeared before Leeds Magistrates Court and were jailed, and any outstanding money owed on their order will still need to be paid upon release from prison.

Those brought before the courts include a 38-year-old man, from Knottingley, was sentenced to 629 days in prison after failing to pay his confiscation order of 72,000 in full. To date he has paid 9,000. In February 2008 he was jailed for 12 months after being convicted of conspiracy to supply heroin.

A Bradford man aged 46,was sentenced to three years in prison after failing to pay his confiscation order of just over 215,000 in full. To date he has paid almost 60,000.

In November 2009 he was sentenced to 6 years in prison for supplying cocaine and money laundering.

Also before the courts was a 58-year-old Barnsley man was sentenced to four years and eight months in prison after failing to pay his confiscation order of just over 1.2m in full. To date he has paid back almost 689,000.

In 2002 he was sentenced to 12 years in prison for the supply and importation of cannabis; however his sentence was reduced to seven years following an appeal.

A 53-year-old man from Beeston, Leeds, was sentenced to six years in prison after failing to pay his confiscation order of just over 1m in full. To date he has paid back 23,000.

A Bradford woman, 52, was sentenced to almost two-and-a-half years in prison after she failed to pay her confiscation order of just over 215,000 in full. To date she had paid 11,500. She was originally given a 12 month suspended sentence in December 2007 after pleading guilty to managing a brothel used for prostitution.

Det Chief Supt Howard Crowther, head of the Force’s crime division said last night: “These are excellent examples of how West Yorkshire Police, the Crown Prosecution Service and the HM Court Service are working together to ensure criminals who fail to pay confiscation orders are dealt with accordingly.

“Those who fail to pay the order in full could receive up to 10 years in prison and will still owe the money upon their release.

“Using the Proceeds of Crime Act we are able to remove negative role models from local communities and take away their criminal benefits such as cash, cars and houses.

“We will continue to work closely with our partners to ensure that confiscation orders are adhered too,” Det Chief Supt Crowther added.

Money confiscated from criminals can be used to fund community projects and further police operations.

There are other criminals living of the proceeds of crime within local communities, why should they? call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, that’s all it takes or visit www.whyshouldthey.com

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