Repay money, gang boss told (From Evesham Journal)

Repay money, gang boss told

1:00pm Thursday 27th September 2012 in News

THE operator of a car ringing gang which netted him more than £1 million in six years has been ordered to repay £822,309 from hidden assets.

Daniyal Raymond admitted at a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing at Worcester Crown Court that he had kept no accounts and had never paid income tax or VAT.

Raymond, currently serving a sentence of four years and three months for theft, dangerous driving and possession of heroin, was described by the judge at his trial as “a professional and determined criminal”.

The 42-year-old father-ofone was living in rented property in Worcester Road, Upton Snodsbury, when he was arrested. He was involved in an operation to buy scrap cars and change their details with cars which had been stolen. His garage had equipment capable of producing car keys.

The stolen cars included a £5,500 Vauxhall Astra, another Astra worth £7,500 and a £7,000 Vauxhall Meriva.

A financial investigation by West Mercia Police uncovered details of a number of separate bank accounts which Raymond had not admitted having. These showed transactions of £307,000, £164,000 and £418,000.

Raymond was said to have taken expensive holidays in Milan and Monaco. He also had a £100-a-day heroin habit. His barrister, Muthupandi Ganesan, admitted that it had been a criminal lifestyle.

There was no “paper trail” to show the business had been legitimate.

He said Raymond had rotated cash in his business accounts and was living the lifestyle of a second-hand car dealer and fraudster.

Raymond’s wife Asha, now living in Worcester, said she was working as a driving instructor and was not involved in her husband’s business. She had six bank accounts but money in them came from the sale of her mother’s house.

Judge Patrick Thomas found that the benefit from Raymond’s criminal activities was £1.2m but he had to guess at figures because there were no accounts. He directed that £822,309 be paid before December 3, with four years jail in default.

Prosecutor Paul Whitfield said Raymond was due for release from prison on December 11. As the family had connections with Pakistan, he was worried they might flee the country. But the judge said Raymond had to pay by the set date or there could be other court proceedings.