A man heavily involved in the sale of drugs in a town’s licensed premises is estimated to have benefited by more than £1m from his offending.
But a court has ordered the confiscation of less than £44,000 from jailed offender Sam Fitzpatrick as the limit of his available funds.
Fitzpatrick received a total 15-year prison sentence at Durham Crown Court in November 2023.
The now 35-year-old defendant of Park Villas, Leadgate, near Consett, admitted being concerned in the supply of class A and B drugs and two counts of making a threat to kill.
He was also made subject of a five-year Serious Crime Prevention Order, to come into force upon his release from prison.
Fitzpatrick and an accomplice, who received a three-year prison sentence, were said to have made threats to door staff at pubs in Consett to allow the sale of drugs at licensed premises in the town.
They were said to have offered some “a cut” of their profits if they “turned a blind eye” to the sale of drugs.
Following the sentencing, police at the time hailed it as a “great result” for the people of Consett, disrupting the supply of drugs in the pubs and bars of the town.
Fitpatrick appeared via video link from HMP Liverpool, where he is now serving his sentence, for a Proceeds of Crime hearing at the court on Wednesday (March 4).
Judge Jo Kidd said she understood the figures were agreed between prosecution and defence.
The defendant was said to have benefited by £1,083,173 from his offending, but with an available amount for compensation of £43,974.
Rodney Ferm, for Fitzpatrick, said £24,974 of that is already held by the police, leaving only £19,000 to be paid.
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Judge Kidd said the outstanding £19,000 should be paid in the next three months and if not, the default period in prison is up to 12 months.
She told the defendant: “That concludes this process and the outstanding sum needs to be paid within the next three months and, if not, the default period may be enforced.”
The judge also ordered the forfeiture and destruction of drugs and paraphernalia seized during the police investigation.
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