Monday 30th January 2012, 7:00PM GMT.

http://www.shropshirestar.com/news/2012/01/30/laundering-money-made-shropshire-man-97440/

Gareth Hodgkins, of Newport, was made the subject of an agreed financial order under The Proceeds of Crime Act.

At a financial hearing at Mold Crown Court, sitting at Chester, the judge, Mr Recorder Charles Fox ruled that Hodgkins had benefited to the tune of £97,440.

But he had no assets and the only amount available for confiscation was £7,567 which was the amount of money seized by Dyfed Powys Police during their investigation.

It was agreed that money, already in the possession of the police, should be paid as compensation into the estate of a Mid Wales pensioner who has since died.

The order was made in the absence of Hodgkins, 43, who was not required to attend the POCA hearing.

Last August the defendant received a suspended prison sentence after he admitted money laundering.

At the time the court heard how a Mid Wales pensioner was conned out of thousands of pounds by rogue builders.

Last summer Hodgkins, who received four of the cheques to the value of more than £150,000, admitted two money laundering charges involving £53,400 and £44,000.

It was accepted that he was not involved in the original scam.