Drug dealer ordered to pay nearly £60,000 

During a hearing in August last year William Hall pleaded guilty to cultivating cannabis and abstracting electricity.

When officers executed a warrant at a property associated with him in Kegworth they discovered more than 100 cannabis plants.

The premises had been professionally set up with air conditioning units, lighting and hydroponics and they discovered that the electricity had been bypassed at the meter.

Following his conviction, an application was submitted to the courts to confiscate assets being held in the name of the 29-year-old. The assets are believed to represent the proceeds from his criminality.

On Friday 19th  August the court ordered Hall of Butthole Lane, Shepshed, Leicestershire, to pay £59,078.92 under POCA.

PC Steve Harrison of North West Leicestershire Neighbourhood Policing Area (NPA), said: “Our efforts to stop criminal activity doesn’t just stop at conviction. The police have the power to apply to the court to confiscate property or assets believed to be accrued as a result of the defendant’s criminality.

“We are pleased that the court have agreed to grant the confiscation order and if Hall fails to pay the value of the order he may face a custodial sentence of 12 months.

“We will continue to use this legislation and ensure those who choose to take the path of criminality should not be allowed to benefit from their crimes.”