Bridport drug dealer ordered to repay thousands of pounds

William David Lewis has been in court under the Proceeds of Crime Act

Author: Faye TryhornPublished 21st Feb 2023

A Bridport drug dealer has been ordered to repay thousands of pounds he 'earned' through his crimes.

25 year old William David Lewis was jailed in March 2022 for a series of drug offences, which he admitted.

He was sentenced to 30 months and three weeks in prison.

Lewis has now appeared before Bournemouth Crown Court again, for an application under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA).

It follows his arrest in November 2020, during a warrant executed in King Street, Bridport.

Drugs worth £78,000, over £18,000 in cash and two CS gas canisters were found there and seized.

The hearing yesterday (Monday 20th February) was told that Lewis's offending had amounted to £122,258.93, with an 'available amount' of £27,270.

That figure includes the cash seized previously, so Lewis has now been ordered to repay the remaining £9,000.

If he doesn't pay that within 28 days, he'll face a further six month prison sentence.

Detective Constable Scott Brimicombe, of the Economic Crime Unit, said:

“I hope this case demonstrates that we will use POCA legislation where it is available to take illegal earnings from criminals.

“As with all Proceeds of Crime confiscation orders, the outstanding benefit figure is still owed and the case will be reviewed in the future to ascertain if the defendant has acquired further assets.”

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