Legal News
Yorkshire Couple Profited From Storing Smuggled Tobacco (21 October 2011)
Date: 21/10/2011
A Yorkshire couple profited from storing smuggled tobacco on behalf of a criminal gang, a court has heard. Stephen and Marie Bedford were able to pay for a lavish wedding ceremony, purchase a jet ski, and enjoy numerous luxury holidays through their participation in gang crime. Upon raiding the couple’s home, police found £31,000 cash and jewellery hidden in a safe located inside the concrete floor of garage at their home in Knottingley. Officers also uncovered an access card to a garage and large quantities of Spanish hand-rolling tobacco worth £7,000. During their investigation, police searched the home of Mr. Bedford’s parents and found another safe containing £61,000 in cash.
Leeds Crown Court heard that, in 2005, the couple were able to put down a huge deposit on their £175,000 home and successfully obtained a £90,000 mortgage on it by deceiving the mortgage company over their joint income. Philip Adams, prosecuting, told the court that the pair enjoyed a cash-rich lifestyle through their illegal activities. Police discovered documentation detailing the couple’s £12,000 cash payment for their wedding celebrations. A receipt for the purchase of a £3,000 jet ski and details of a £3,000 holiday were also found. It is believed that Mr. Bedford received £1,500 per month for storing tobacco.
Mr. Bedford was handed a 15-month jail sentence following pleading guilty to converting criminal property and obtaining credit by deception. Mrs. Bedford admitted obtaining credit by deception and was handed a six-month sentence, suspended for two years, plus 100 hours’ unpaid work.
Duncan Lewis’ criminal law solicitors possess significant experience in navigating criminal law proceedings.