Proceeds of crime hearing against former teacher (From The Northern Echo)

Proceeds of crime hearing against former teacher

10:50pm Thursday 29th July 2010

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INQUIRIES are taking place to see how much money can be recouped from a former teacher caught with a cache of cocaine.

Ian Ashby, 30, was given a 51-week prison sentence, suspended for two years, plus a six-month electronically-tagged home curfew, at Durham Crown Court last month.

The former Stanley School of Technology IT and business studies teacher, of Benfieldside Road, Shotley Bridge, near Consett, admitted possessing the class A drug with intent to supply.

It followed the recovery of 29-grams of cocaine, with 22g of caffeine as a mixing agent, when his Mercedes Benz car, bearing a false number plate, was stopped at Sniperley park and ride site, on the outskirts of Durham, last May.

Ashby claimed the drugs, with a street value of £2,042, were bought in bulk to share with friends on a stag trip.

The court heard £170 in his possession at the time the car was stopped and searched, plus £1,100 recovered from his home, included money he said was paid by party members to cover the cost of the stag trip, to Haydock Park races, Merseyside.

A proceeds of crime hearing at the court today was told that financial investigators from the Crown Prosecution Service are also looking into "unexplained entries" into Ashby's bank account over several years.

Alex Burns, for Ashby, said he received money from his parents but efforts are being made to trace old accounts.

He also said £300 of the £1,100 was loaned by his girlfriend.

As a result of the conviction, the court was previously told Ashby will be unlikely to be allowed to work in education again.

He was not in court today as Mr Burns said he has received further surgery on a long-term back complaint.

The proceeds of crime hearing was adjourned to be resolved on September 17.

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