Man ordered to pay for benefits of crime

19/11/2007

Today, following an application by the CPS, a confiscation order to the value of £6,338.11 was made against Lloyd Simpson, formerly of Birches Head at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court.

HHJ Warner found that Simpson had benefited to the sum of £23,814 in relation to his criminal activity.

The order was made under the Proceeds of Crimes Act 2002 (POCA). This allows the court to make an order against a defendant to pay a sum equal to his benefit from the crime. If he fails to do so, his assets which can, and often are frozen by the courts, can then be sold to pay the order.

Simpson, who pleaded guilty in June 2006 and was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment for the removal of criminal property in relation to travellers cheques to the value of £12,000 sterling and 20,000 euros which were stolen in an armed robbery in the city in May 2003.

Steve Ash, Senior Crown Prosecutor and Proceeds of Crime Act specialist said: Mr Simpson has been ordered through the court to pay this order. If he fails to do so his home which was restrained last year will be sold by the prosecution to meet the order.