Home   Ipswich   News   Article

Subscribe Now

Convicted burglars including former Ipswich man found to have profited almost £100,000 for part in series of burglaries and theft offences in south and east England




Police say two convicted burglars have been found to have profited by almost £100,000 for their part in a series of burglaries and theft offences from predominantly rural businesses and farms in south and east England.

James Mitchell, 36, formerly of Woodland Way in Ipswich and Luke Booth, 22, from Earl Shilton in Leicestershire were both jailed in September 2022.

After admitting to more than 60 offences between them, they were jailed for a combined total of nine years.

A Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) hearing was held at Ipswich Crown Court which determined that the pair had benefited from their criminality by a total of £99,975.88. Picture: iStock
A Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) hearing was held at Ipswich Crown Court which determined that the pair had benefited from their criminality by a total of £99,975.88. Picture: iStock

On Thursday, January 26, a Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) hearing was held at Ipswich Crown Court which determined that the pair had benefited from their criminality by a total of £99,975.88.

The court was unable to identify any realisable assets to satisfy the Order and so a £1.00 nominal payment order was made.

Following their sentencing a financial investigation was launched by the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit (ERSOU).

Should either Booth or Mitchell be found to have further assets at any time in the future, the matter will be taken back to court to be reassessed.

Paul Fitzsimmons, ERSOU senior financial investigation manager, said: “Although we have not been able to identify any assets at this stage, this debt will remain in place indefinitely.

"When realisable assets are identified in the future, we will re-open the case and take steps to confiscate them.”