A DRUG boss who funded his girlfriend's "fearless" shopping sprees has been ordered to sell off his £40,000 stash of designer clothes.
Jonathan Walsh, 34, lived lavishly after earning nearly three quarters of a million pounds from crime.
Walsh ran a huge drugs trafficking operation that focused on moving cannabis and amphetamine from Greater Manchester to Nottinghamshire.
His girlfriend Jodie Bowie, 32, also got involved in the drugs plot and enjoyed a luxury lifestyle funded by Walsh's illicit gains.
The "sophisticated" drugs plot paid for Bowie's designer clothes, expensive jewellery, high-powered cars and cosmetic surgery appointments.
Convicted armed robber Walsh was banged up for 15 years, while Bowie avoided jail.
Read More in News
Shocking moment woman is sent flying in ‘hit-and-run’ after countryside row
Tragedy as girl, 14, killed in horror crash after her and pal hit by car
Under Proceeds of Crime laws, Walsh will have to pay back just over £40,000, representing the value of items seized by cops including designer clothes worth about £38,000 and a £2,000 van.
The county lines boss benefited from crime to the tune of £738,750, a hearing at Manchester Crown Court heard.
Walsh has £41,010 worth of available funds, the value of designer clothes and a Citroen Berlingo van.
Cops confirmed they would be selling off the clothes and van.
Bowie, who worked as a carer for the elderly, is also set to face proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act. Her case was adjourned until next month.
Most read in UK News
I've got 'UK's biggest penis' – it scares off women but I love it
Two dead and three seriously injured including kids following horror smash
Chilling message after gunman 'in joker mask' killed rapper in 'tit-for-tat' war
Killer jailed for murdering rival is son of man who had 22 kids by 11 women
The couple met on Facebook after he served a 14-year prison sentence for armed robbery, with Bowie becoming involved in Walsh's drugs scheme.
When one of Walsh's couriers was arrested, Bowie enlisted her mother Janice, 53, father David, 52, and brother Lee, 34, to help with moving the drugs cash.
But when Bowie's home was raided by police, officers discovered more than £100,000 worth of designer clothes as well as £10,000 in cash.
Another visit by cops recovered clothing worth £27,000, £5,410 in cash, while messages on her phone showed her making arrangements with Walsh to spend around £5,000 on cosmetic surgery.
At a previous hearing, prosecutor Tom Challinor said of the couple's initial weeks together: "Over a very short period of time Walsh began to accrue possessions of a lavish lifestyle, including Rolex watches, designer clothing, and driving expensive cars at £1,300 a month.
"They decked out their house in lavish decor which indicated that sort of lifestyle.
"Jodie Bowie worked at the time but was not on the sort of income which could have supported that lifestyle. When it came to spending money, she was fearless."
Walsh, of Warwick Road, Failsworth, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply drugs and money laundering and was later found guilty of conspiracy to possess a firearm, conspiracy to possess ammunition and conspiracy to possess an explosive device after trial at Manchester Crown Court in September last year.
Read More on The Sun
Popular flavour Quality Street axed in 2018 is back – but there’s a catch
I’m a mum-of-3 at 20 – questions anyone wanting to be a young mum should ask
Bowie, of Medlock Road, Failsworth, Manchester received 21 months imprisonment, suspended for two years and a three month curfew between 7pm and 5.30am.
She was also hit with 140 hours unpaid work and ten rehabilitation activity requirement days, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply class B cannabis and money laundering.
Source: Read Full Article