£380,000 more seized from tarmac criminal

Joseph Kennedy, of Glen Bungalow Caravan Site in Askern, Doncaster, generated money by quoting tarmac jobs at pounds per square metre – then later saying it was per square foot.

The traveller was sentenced to 15 months in jail in 2006, for blackmail and trade description offences.

He made threats to businesses after cold-calling and carrying out tarmac work at their premises, Teesside Crown Court heard in December 2005.

Kennedy demanded thousands of pounds for work, but when his prices were disputed by businesses he became threatening and aggressive until payments were made.

A confiscation investigation was also launched at the time, but before this finished in September 2008, Kennedy was sentenced to more than three years in jail for further blackmail and common assault offences, after he made threats to the owner of a Doncaster garage.

Kennedy benefited by 838,920 from his criminal conduct, Teesside Crown Court ruled in January last year, and he was ordered by a judge to pay a total of 430,052.66 within six months.

That order has been fully paid, but police discovered earlier this year that he held 379,689 in bank accounts and other assets.

Kennedy, 44, agreed in court yesterday to the confiscation of these funds to pay off the remaining figure.