A man convicted of producing cannabis has been ordered to pay back almost £150k.
Neil Lambert Jones, 53, avoided prison after being found guilty of producing cannabis and acquiring, using, or possessing £15,000 in criminal cash. He was sentenced to two years imprisonment, suspended for two years, at Minshull Street Crown Court on September 13 of last year.
Jones also had his assets frozen and was ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work and 20 days of rehabilitation activity requirement. Confiscation proceedings were also commenced under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.
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At a hearing on Monday, Jones, of Greenfield Avenue, Urmston, was ordered to pay back £149,809.50 - a sum the court found he had benefited from as a result of his offending. He was told he must repay the amount within 3 months or face a sentence of two years in prison.
GMP Financial Investigator Mark Chesters said: “It was established that over the previous six years Jones had only received a modest income from various jobs including a window cleaning round. He was also subsidised by DWP benefits.
"Yet he managed to pay all his household expenses, buy a boat with outboard motor and trailer, expensive pedal cycles and used his credit card almost daily to pay for fast food and meals out, which he later paid off in cash.
“In addition to having his £15,000 in cash forfeited under the cash seizure provisions of the Proceeds of Crime Act, Jones is now ordered to pay a confiscation order of £149,809.50.
"I hope this reassures the public that Greater Manchester Police will use all legislation to strip assets from criminals whenever the opportunity arises.”
