Bristol drug dealer sent back to prison after just one month
A convicted drug dealer has been sent back to prison less than a month after his release - after not paying a confiscation order.
In October 2010 Damien Ramsey, aged 40 and of Riverside Way, Hanham, was jailed for five years and four months for converting his house into a drugs factory where he grew cannabis to sell to street dealers along with thousands of pounds worth of cocaine.
He also pleaded guilty to illegally having a knuckle duster, two cans of CS pepper spray and to stealing electricity to power the cannabis factory, but also for his hot tub and a garden fish pond.
In a hearing at Bristol, Crown Court, His Honour Judge Horton also ordered Ramsey to pay £550,000 within six months or serve five more years in prison. Ramsey was later allowed until October 14 2011 to pay the full amount.
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However, On Friday, Magistrates at North Somerset Court heard that Ramsey, who was released from prison last month after serving half his sentence, had not made any serious attempts to sell his luxury yacht - valued at £220,000 - and that a total of £454,243.04 including interest was still outstanding.
The Magistrates found 'culpable neglect' to pay this amount and activated the default sentence, sending Ramsey back to prison for over four years.
"The Proceeds of Crime Act is powerful legislation," explained Dr Kirstie Cogram, manager of Avon & Somerset Financial Investigation Unit.
"In the early stages the Crown Court makes a Restraint Order to freeze assets while we investigate, then the Crown Court makes a Confiscation Order identifying all the defendant's assets and giving them time to pay.
"If they fail to pay the enforcement court uses all its powers to make them pay."
Comments
by Rigsby_nation
Tuesday, January 10 2012, 1:43PM
“No, I have no idea what he looks like now.
You said he looks like he's on drugs now, I was simply pointing out this is his mugshot that has been used since he was arrested before he ever went to prison and by the looks of it, he probably did have a few spli*** prior to being arrested.
That being said, I do find it funny you think we should keep someone locked up who looks like they are on drugs and also find it funny you tarnish all drug users with the same brush and someone who has had a few joints to you is akin to someone who abuses a crack pipe and goes out stealing to fund their habit.
But thats for another topic”
by kingswoodbabe
Tuesday, January 10 2012, 12:40PM
“ok so your telling me he no longer looks like this , yeah right i think not”
by Rigsby_nation
Tuesday, January 10 2012, 8:20AM
“@kingswoodbabe
Thats not a current image, thats his mugshot from when he was arrested”
by kingswoodbabe
Tuesday, January 10 2012, 1:33AM
“wow this guy looks like hes on drugs now , why do they let these people out”
by anitt
Monday, January 09 2012, 2:48PM
“Damien, You're a Bad Omen.”
by MustBeUnique
Monday, January 09 2012, 2:08PM
“He will still have to pay the enforcement.”
by patcrose
Monday, January 09 2012, 1:40PM
“So four years in prison or pay £400,000 .No contest unless he still has to pay the enforcement ?”