Money launderer's profits seized

Kevin Roe (50) of Laughton Road, was convicted at Sheffield Crown Court in September last year of money laundering offences relating to the sale of illegal cigarettes and alcohol.

He received ten months imprisonment, suspended for two years, plus a supervision order for 12 months and 100 hours unpaid work.

After Roe’s conviction South Yorkshire Police started a confiscation investigation under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

And at a court hearing, it was agreed that Roe had benefited greatly from his criminal activity and was ordered to pay back £65,000 within six months, with a default sentence of 20 months in jail should he not pay.

Det Sgt Rob Platts who dealt with the original investigation said: “The outcome should send out a stark warning to other people involved in this and any other criminality that the police, Crown Prosecution Service and courts will not stand for this.”

Darren Walsh of South Yorkshire Police Economic Crime Unit who led the confiscation investigation said: “This is a prime example of the power of the Proceeds of Crime Act.

“Anyone found profiting from criminal activity will have their money taken from them and their assets stripped.”

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