Police keep hold of £85,000 seized

Police have successfully kept hold of more than £85,000 seized in Reading.

On October 27 2010, officers carried out warrants under the Misuse of Drugs Act at the homes of Richard Thorngate, now 55, and his son Julian Thorngate, now 30.

At Richard Thorngate’s home in Mill Lane officers seized £80,000 from a safe, along with a small amount of cannabis.

At Julian’s girlfriend’s address in Buckingham Drive, a further £5,500 was found, along with more cannabis.

Richard received a caution for possession of cannabis and Julian pleaded guilty at Reading Crown Court in November 2012 to possession with intent to supply cannabis.

Julian was sentenced to 28 weeks imprisonment in January 2013.

After a three-year cash seizure investigation by the Economic Crime Unit (ECU), an application for a forfeiture order for the £85,500 was heard at Reading Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

Jennifer Bailey, financial investigator at the ECU, said: “The Thorngate’s offered no explanation as to where this money came from and consented to the forfeiture order.

“This case illustrates that despite sometimes lengthy, drawn out proceedings, we will persevere in removing from circulation what we believe to be criminal money.”