Proving crime does not pay

A CARLTON man who made thousands from dealing drugs is being forced to pay it back.

Richard Caldwell, previously of Knaton Road, is serving a four-year prison sentence after admitting possession of heroin with intent to supply in April.

At a hearing at Nottingham Crown Court on Friday, the 35-year-old was the subject of a Confiscation Order under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

The court found Caldwell made £10,198.65 from his criminal lifestyle. Property seized from his home was estimated to be worth £2,157, leaving him owing over £8,000.

Caldwell had already forfeited £8,041.25 cash for his illegal activities, following a previous hearing at Nottingham Magistrates Court in February.

PC John Graham said: “Caldwell’s sentence does not end on his release from prison. He will be in the red, and will continue to pay for his crimes financially, until he has settled his debt.”

“In Bassetlaw, we don’t just pursue offenders to the point of criminal conviction, we also sting them financially to ensure they enjoy absolutely no benefit from their illegal activities. If ever there was an example that crime does not pay, this is it.”

Caldwell was arrested in November 2010 following a search at his home. Heroin with an estimated street value of £3,000 was seized, along with drugs paraphernalia and £6,000 in cash and property.

While on bail he was arrested again in January and June 2011, following the recovery of a number of cannabis plants.

In both cases he pleaded guilty to the production of a Class B drug and received a further nine months and 12 months in jail, to run consecutively to the 30 months. This amounted to four years and three months behind bars.

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