Published at 15:50, Wednesday, 26 November 2008

A 36-year-old man from Cleator Moor has been sentenced to serve 18 months in prison for the non-payment of a confiscation order that was imposed at Carlisle Crown Court last year.

jailed: Keith Mossop

On January 5, 2007, Keith Edward Mossop of Cragg Road, Cleator Moor, received an 18-month prison sentence for possession of amphetamine with intent to supply.

Further to this, on April 26, the Crown Court imposed a confiscation order in which Mossop was ordered to pay back nearly £40,000 which he had gained through his criminal activity.

He appeared before Bolton Magistrates Court last week, still owing the full amount of £39,936.88. As a result, magistrates imposed a further 18-month jail term for non-payment of the order.

Mossop will still owe that amount, plus accrued interest, once released from his sentence.

A spokesperson from Cumbria Constabulary’s Serious and Organised Crime Unit, said: “Confiscation orders under the Proceeds of Crime Act hit offenders where it hurts – their wallet – by forcing them to pay back money they have made through their criminal activity.

“The act allows for a jail sentence to be imposed if a person does not pay in the time specified by the court.

“Cumbria Constabulary is working closely with the Central Confiscation Unit at Bolton to ensure that those people with outstanding confiscation orders pay them.

“Yesterday’s sentence should act as a warning to those who have outstanding confiscation orders to pay the order or face a significant jail term.”

Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk