23/06/2005
Ice cream man has £1.4m worth of assets seized
Assets worth an estimated £1.4 million have been seized by the Assets Recovery Agency in Northern Ireland.
Belfast High Court heard that Stephen Albert Baxter of Lyndhurst View Park, Belfast, sold smuggled tobacco from his ice cream van and “that his lifestyle and property acquisitions appear far in excess of his lawful means”.
Commenting on the case, ARA Assistant Director Alan McQuillan said: “This action again proves that crime doesn’t pay. When people evade tax, we all lose out. It means less money for our hospitals, our schools and our other vital public services.
“Whether part of major crime syndicates, or simply acting alone to enrich themselves, no one receiving income from unlawful means is beyond the reach of the Assets Recovery Agency.”
Security Minister and Chair of the Organised Crime Task Force (OCTF), Shaun Woodward also welcomed the news. “This is another significant action and I congratulate the Assets Recovery Agency for its continuing success in depriving criminals of their ill gotten gains,” the Minister said.
“The Task Force will continue to effectively confront the actions of organised criminals and to send a clear message to those involved – crime does not pay.”
Assets seized include a property in Lyndhurst Park, two apartments in Belfast city centre, an interest in a further eight building developments, including a planned apartment in the Obel building, two ice cream vans and a BMW X5.
(MB/SP)
Belfast High Court heard that Stephen Albert Baxter of Lyndhurst View Park, Belfast, sold smuggled tobacco from his ice cream van and “that his lifestyle and property acquisitions appear far in excess of his lawful means”.
Commenting on the case, ARA Assistant Director Alan McQuillan said: “This action again proves that crime doesn’t pay. When people evade tax, we all lose out. It means less money for our hospitals, our schools and our other vital public services.
“Whether part of major crime syndicates, or simply acting alone to enrich themselves, no one receiving income from unlawful means is beyond the reach of the Assets Recovery Agency.”
Security Minister and Chair of the Organised Crime Task Force (OCTF), Shaun Woodward also welcomed the news. “This is another significant action and I congratulate the Assets Recovery Agency for its continuing success in depriving criminals of their ill gotten gains,” the Minister said.
“The Task Force will continue to effectively confront the actions of organised criminals and to send a clear message to those involved – crime does not pay.”
Assets seized include a property in Lyndhurst Park, two apartments in Belfast city centre, an interest in a further eight building developments, including a planned apartment in the Obel building, two ice cream vans and a BMW X5.
(MB/SP)
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