Duo to pay back proceeds of criminal lifestyle

Published on 23rd November 2006 in News

TWO men who illegally handled stolen goods from Goole docks are facing huge bills for leading criminal lifestyles.

Forensic accountants pored through bank accounts of part-time scrap dealer James Hayton (63) and businessman Roland Adamson (57) after they were convicted of handling £4,700 worth of stolen steel in March.

The 20 tonnes of steel were taken from the quayside storage area of South Dock terminal in Albert Street, Goole, after being imported on two ships including the mv Bugulma on April 22, 2004.

Mr Adamson, of South Newbald Road, North Newbald was told on Tuesday that he must pay back £27,631 or risk 18 months in prison after being judged a criminal dealer unable to account for as legitimate income all the money he had.

Judge John Dowse, sitting at Hull Crown Court, told Mr Adamson he would have to pay the money, less the £2,565 the police had already taken from him.

The penalty is on top of each man paying half of £4,770 compensation to innocent steel buyers Arraquip. The two were also ordered in May this year to pay half the prosecution costs of £2,700 after the six-day trial at which they were found guilty of handling stolen goods and ordered to perform 150 hours of a community punishment order.

The pair sat side by side at the back of the court as they learned of the impact of the Proceeds of Crime Act – introduced to stop criminals benefitting from crimes.

Crown barrister David Bradshaw said original estimates by the Crown of Mr Hayton's benefit from crime was £75,000. But Mr Bradshaw said up to £27,000 could be taken off as there was double accounting of Mr Adamson's benefit.

Mr Bradshaw said the final figure had yet to be agreed and there would need to be a further hearing before the judge could rule on Mr Adamson's benefit from criminal activity.

At an earlier hearing Mr Hayton admitted in court that he once ran a crane hire firm and had known Mr Adamson for most of his life.

He said he occasionally picked up timber from Goole docks and bought steel from a Geordie called Pete. He said he earned £600 to £700 a month for five months of the year driving bagged sprouts for farmers to Morrisons and led a simple life, driving an old car.

Mr Adamson admitted Mr Hayton drove for him, but continued to insist he had no involvement in handling stolen goods and was a man of good character who "had his fingers burnt."