Lowestoft: Criminal Ordered To Pay Back £28,000

25 July 2013, 13:56 | Updated: 25 July 2013, 14:15

A man caught with cocaine and cash in Suffolk's been ordered to pay back £28,000.

A 47-year-old man, who was given an eight month suspended sentence for drugs and money laundering offences has been ordered to pay back the money after a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing at Ipswich Crown Court on Monday 22 July.

On Thursday 29 December 2011 police officers from Lowestoft based stopped a vehicle in Wollaston Road, Lowestoft, in which David Dorries was a passenger.

A search of Dorries revealed that he was in possession of a quantity of cocaine, while a further search of the vehicle led to the recovery of a large quantity of cash concealed within dried dog food, and also in the spare wheel compartment within the boot of the car.

Dorries was arrested by police and a search of his home resulted in the seizure of a small quantity of cannabis.

Enquiries carried out by Suffolk Police's Financial Investigation Unit suggested that he appeared to enjoy a lifestyle beyond that which might be expected, given his known income.

David Dorries was charged by police and subsequently at Ipswich Crown Court he pleaded guilty to drugs and money laundering offences and was sentenced to eight months imprisonment, which was suspended for two years. He was also made the subject of a 12 month supervision order and ordered to carry out 140 hours of unpaid work.

On 22 July 2013 proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 found Dorries to have benefited from his criminal activities in the sum of £58,318 and a confiscation order was made against him in the sum of £28,320 after the court had found that he had assets to that value, which comprised cash totalling £22,645, a static caravan and a car owned by him. This represented the entirety of his known assets.

David Dorries is required to satisfy the order made by the court within six months, or face the possibility of imprisonment if he fails to do so.

Andy Gould of the Joint Norfolk & Suffolk Economic Crime Unit said; "The order made by the court once more underlines our determination to ensure that those people within our community who benefit from their involvement in crime will be stripped of the profit they make from their activities. We will continue to use the Proceeds of Crime Act legislation to drive home the message that crime does not pay."