Man ordered to pay more than £36,000 from proceeds of crime

A man who received a suspended sentence for dealing Class A drugs has been ordered to pay back tens of thousands of pounds.

Last year Harrison Wood, 35, from Steeton, Bradford, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply cocaine and cannabis, supplying cocaine and possession of MDMA. He received a two-year jail term, suspended for 18 months.

Following enquiries by North Yorkshire Police financial investigators, a confiscation order has now been made for him to pay back the benefits from his criminal conduct.

At a hearing at Bradford Crown Court today, Wood was ordered to pay a total of £36,121.78 within three months, or face a nine-month prison sentence.

DI Janine Mitchell, Head of Economic Crime at North Yorkshire Police, said: "This case shows that crime simply does not pay. Anyone who attempts to profit from the supply of illegal drugs - or any other criminal activity - in our area should except not only a conviction, but also a confiscation order as well."