CPS News Brief

Six people sentenced for £10 million money laundering enterprise

Six people have been sentenced to a total of over 28 years for their involvement in a money laundering enterprise.

Razwan Munir, Mohammed Kamran Chaudhry, Nokhaz Haider, Imran Sarwar, Umar Haq and Waqar Afzal were sentenced at Manchester Crown Court after pleading guilty to their involvement.

Nigel James, Specialist Prosecutor at the International Justice and Organised Crime Division of the Crown Prosecution Service, said:

“These individuals were part of a sophisticated money laundering enterprise involving around £10 million. They received cash from crimes like drug dealing and paid it into bank accounts. They then transferred the money abroad to hide its criminal origin from authorities.

“The CPS worked with the police to build a strong case which led to them pleading guilty. The evidence included telephone records, such as the number of calls made and at what times. We also looked at messages between the individuals, including Imran Sarwar joking in October 2014 that the target for laundering cash was £9 million by Christmas.

“There was clear evidence the individuals were living lavish lifestyles beyond their declared incomes, shown by their frequent holidays abroad, expensive cars and receipts for designer clothes.

“The CPS will now take steps to recover the criminal assets of these individuals under the Proceeds of Crime Act.”

Additional information:

At first the defendants went to the Post Office depositing £5,000 in cash, which then increased to £10,000 a day.

At one point, they took in holdalls carrying £100,000 cash. One Post Office estimated that about £2 million was paid in at a branch. This cash was paid into bank accounts which were held in the names of dormant limited companies to give the appearance of legitimate trading.

Charge:

Entering into or becoming concerned in a money laundering arrangement, contrary to section 328(1) of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

Sentencing details:

Razwan Munir – Nine years imprisonment

Mohammed Kamran Chaudhry – Four years, seven months imprisonment

Nokhaz Haider – Four years, six months imprisonment

Imran Sarwar – Four years, six months imprisonment

Umar Haq – Three years imprisonment

Waqar Afzal – Three years imprisonment

Man sentenced for controlling or coercive behaviour

Sam Williams has been sentenced at Newcastle Upon Tyne Magistrates Court for offences including controlling or coercive behaviour.

Sam Williams, 28, pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate relationship. He also pleaded guilty to assault by beating and two counts of criminal damage to property valued under £5,000.

Lorraine Anson, reviewing lawyer at the Crown Prosecution Service, said:

“Sam Williams subjected his victim to controlling and coercive behaviour. He rarely allowed the victim to go out alone but when she did he would keep track of where she had gone, including making her keep parking receipts.

“He continuously belittled the victim and made her believe she needed only him, pushing her family and friends away. He checked her social media accounts and phone messages, and controlled her appearance by telling her what to wear and changing her hairstyle. After one argument Sam Williams physically assaulted the victim who escaped and called the police.

“This behaviour is sadly recognisable as being controlling and coercive. When one person holds more power than the other and creates fear around breaking someone else’s rules, it can strip people of their independence. This is exactly the behaviour that the offence of controlling and coercive behaviour aims to target and eradicate”.

 

Sentencing details:

Controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate relationship - 18 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, with a Community Order for 18 months.

Assault by beating - 18 weeks imprisonment concurrent, suspended for 18 months.

Two counts of criminal damage to property valued under £5,000 – ordered to pay costs

Man who “controlled every aspect of victim’s life” convicted for controlling or coercive behaviour

Adrian Lee has been convicted today for controlling or coercive behaviour.

Adrian Lee, 21, was convicted at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court for engaging in controlling/coercive behaviour in an intimate/family relationship.

Karen Renshall, reviewing lawyer at the Crown Prosecution Service, said:

“Controlling or coercive behaviour can have an extreme psychological and emotional impact on victims. Today’s conviction shows that this behaviour will simply not be tolerated.

“No-one has the right to restrict someone else’s freedom. Adrian Lee controlled every aspect of his victim’s life. He prevented her from seeing her friends and questioned where she had been if she came in late.

“He stopped the victim from using her mobile phone and controlled her social media, such as making her delete friends on Facebook.”

He has been sentenced to six months imprisonment and a Restraining Order was imposed for two years.

Additional information

Charge:

Engaging in controlling/coercive behaviour in an intimate/family relationship.