Police will hold onto jailed man's pension and wait for it to pay out before seizing cash

Jonathan France was jailed for two and a half years for his part in the theft of metal from electricity distribution companies and the rail network.

The 48-year-old ran a scrapyard in Wakefield and was sentenced at Leeds Crown Court on December 21 for handling stolen metal and false accounting.

It was then established at Leeds Crown Court on February 4 that Mr France had benefited from £98,000 from his criminal activity, but he only had £6,000 worth of available assets to confiscate.

Leaving a balance of £92,000, the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Economic Crime Unit established that whilst he had a pension, if it was confiscated now it would yield very little benefit.

Instead, if it was left to mature it would cover the remaining debt.

The Judge at Leeds Crown Court ordered the pension company to allow the pension to mature and then be confiscated afterwards.

Ramona Senior, Head of Yorkshire & Humber Economic Crime Unit, said: “By taking this step the courts have recognised that receiving stolen cabling is not a victimless crime, as anyone who has ever suffered a delayed rail journey or domestic power cut would agree.

"This order will ensure that every penny will be paid back, even if it means waiting six years as in this case.

"This case demonstrates the power of the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) and should act as a deterrent to those who commit crime for their own or others personal gain.”

A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Police said: "A man jailed for over two years for his part of in the theft of metal from electricity distribution companies and the rail network has now been hit with a £92,000 bill for his crimes.

"Jonathan France, 48, ran a scrapyard in Wakefield and on 21 December 2020 he was sentenced at Leeds Crown Court to two and a half years for handling stolen metal and false accounting.

"And on Thursday 4 February at Leeds Crown Court it was determined that he had benefitted from £98,000 from his criminal activity.

It was established that France only had £6,000 worth of available assets to confiscate, leaving a balance of £92,000.

"But Yorkshire & Humber Regional Economic Crime Unit established he had a pension which if confiscated now would yield very little benefit but if left to mature would cover the remaining debt.

"The Judge ordered the pension company to allow the pension to mature and then be confiscated upon maturity."