Drug dealertold to payback more than £1,000

A drug dealer and a man convicted of handling stolen goods have found out that crime does not pay.

Joshua Winterbottom, 20, of Tong, Bradford, has been ordered to pay back more than 1,000 through a confiscation order issued under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

It was granted after Winterbottom pleaded guilty at Bradford Crown Court to two offences of possession with intent to supply cannabis, possession with intent to supply cocaine and conspiracy to supply cannabis. He was later sentenced to 30 months imprisonment and has had to pay back 1,180.

In a separate case, Trevor Smith, of Furness Drive, Halifax, has been ordered to pay back 5,000 after he pleaded guilty to handling stolen goods.

Earlier this year, Smith, 44, was sentenced to nine months imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, and to 50 hours unpaid work. The charge relates to the theft of a Land Rover which had been stolen during a burglary in North Yorkshire last year.

Smith has now been given six months to pay back the money, which includes 300 to be paid to the vehicle’s owner, or face a three month custodial sentence.

Det Sgt Bill Hargreaves, from the Calderdale Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) team, said people can help the police to use the Act.

He said: “The Proceeds of Crime Act is a powerful tool which communities can help the police to use by reporting anyone they suspect of living a lifestyle funded through crime.

“People may ask ‘Why should they be allowed to get away with it?’ I agree entirely with their sentiment. Why should anyone be allowed to lead lifestyles using money made from crime while the rest of us earn honest livings ?

“The Proceeds of Crime Act ensures they don’t get away with it. This is a court imposed order that stays in place until it is fully repaid.”