Drug dealer told to pay back ill gotten gains

A CONVICTED drug dealer from Easton-in-Gordano has been ordered to pay back more than £6,000 under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

James Rossiter, 31, who used to live in Clevedon, was found guilty of possession of cocaine on January 8 and then on March 30 was convicted of possession with intent to supply cannabis.

He was subsequently sentenced on May 12 to nine months imprisonment, suspended for 24 months and also order to carry out 200 hours unpaid community work.

At a hearing at Bristol Crown Court on Monday, a confiscation order was made against Mr Rossiter.

He was found to have benefited from criminal conduct to the value of £6,509 and had assets of £3,235 to satisfy the order, this included two motor vehicles that he had purchased and subsequently sold during the six-year period set out in the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

He was ordered to pay the full amount within six months or serve further time in prison, with the money still due on his release.

Dr Kirstie Cogram, of the police's Financial Investigation Unit, said: "We are committed to seizing any assets criminals have gained as a result of crime.

"It is not acceptable that criminals benefit from illegal activities and we will relentlessly pursue them through the courts to ensure their money is taken.

"By doing this we show criminals that they will not benefit from crime and hopefully deter others from entering a life of crime."