Latest news with #ProceedsofCrimeAct
Leader Live
4 days ago
- Leader Live
Llay charity gets funding to raise autism awareness
Your Space, a charity that supports young people with autism and their families, was successful in securing funding for their autism awareness project from the Your Community, Your Choice fund. The Your Community, Your Choice fund is supported by the North Wales Police, the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) and the North Wales Police and Community Trust (PACT). The funding partly comes from money seized by the courts through the Proceeds of Crime Act, with the remainder provided by the PCC. With this funding, Your Space will deliver autism presentations and awareness talks in schools, led by their Autism Champion, Andrew Edwards. Mr Edwards, who is autistic and has years of experience in raising the profile of autism within various settings, aims to create a better understanding of neurodiversity within schools. The group discovered that a lack of understanding of neurodiversity among school staff is one of the most significant barriers faced by children. This can lead to many children becoming school refusers and being negatively influenced by peers, potentially leading them into criminal activity. Through their project, Your Space aims to upskill all school staff so that autistic individuals are understood and supported to make positive life choices. On June 17, PCC Andy Dunbobbin visited the charity to learn more about their work and the aims of the initiative. He said: "I was delighted to visit Your Space and learn about their very worthwhile project to raise awareness of autism in education. "As Police and Crime Commissioner, I have made equality, diversity and inclusion a core part of my plan for fighting crime in North Wales and that is why a project like Your Space, with its focus on neurodiversity, is so vital for helping support people in the region." Along with the Assistant Chief Constable of North Wales Police Gareth Evans, Dave Evans from PACT, and local PCSOs Lisa Davies and Catherine Griffiths-Hughes, Mr Dunbobbin was given a tour of the Llay Park Resource Centre facility by the founder of Your Space, Rachel Hancocks, the Autism Champion Andrew Edwards, and the events and communications co-ordinator, Charlotte Roberts. Ms Hancocks said: "It's really positive that we received this funding through a community vote, which means that people are gaining more awareness of the issues autistic people face and our work is now able to reach further." PACT chairman Ashley Rogers, recognising the importance of their work, said: "Your Community, Your Choice is all about local people deciding where money should be invested for the good of their neighbourhood. "Organisations like Your Space do incredible work to help people across our society and I am delighted we have been able to support them in their work." READ MORE: Here's why hundreds of people gathered at Flintshire shrine over the weekend Assistant Chief Constable of North Wales Police Gareth Evans added: "It is only right that money seized from criminals should be reinvested to do good in the community. "That's why I am delighted that money from the Your Community, Your Choice fund has gone to help Your Space and its focus on supporting people with autism in society." Over the past 12 years, Your Community, Your Choice has awarded almost £660,000 to 214 projects working to reduce crime in their neighbourhoods. To find out more about Your Space, visit:
Wales Online
19-06-2025
- Wales Online
Drug dealer found to be selling heroin and cocaine ordered to pay back £3,000
Drug dealer found to be selling heroin and cocaine ordered to pay back £3,000 Kaci Payne, 25, was found with a phone connected to a drugs line and claimed to be working under direction Kaci Payne, 25, was found to be dealing heroin and cocaine after police found him in possession of a phone connected to a drugs line (Image: South Wales Police ) A drug dealer who was found to be selling heroin and cocaine after he was found with a phone connected to a drugs line has been ordered to pay back £3,000 after benefiting by more than £18,000. He claimed to be working under direction and said he had no influence on those above him in the chain. Kaci Payne, 25, was stopped by police in Cardiff on November 20 last year in a Renault with three other men. He was found in possession of a phone which was linked to the 'J' drugs line. The defendant was discovered after he was seen on CCTV "topping up" a burner phone. For the latest court reports sign up to our crime newsletter. His home was searched and police seized a knife, £1,000 in cash, and high-value clothing. The burner phone was interrogated and a number of messages revealed he was involved in the supply of heroin and cocaine between October 4 and November 20 last year. The defendant was interviewed but answered "no comment" to questions. Article continues below Payne, of Verallo Drive, Canton, later pleaded guilty to two counts of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs. The court heard he has five previous convictions. These include offences of possession with intent to supply cocaine, possession of cannabis, possession of a bladed article, possession of an offensive weapon, and drug-driving. In mitigation the court was told there was no evidence the defendant had influence over those above him in the change and was "acting under direction". The defendant was described as having a "challenging" childhood having been introduced to cannabis at a young age and later diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome. Payne was sentenced to a total of 36 months imprisonment last year. Article continues below At a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Tuesday, the court was told the defendant had benefited to the tune of £18,062 as a result of his offending, but only has assets worth £3,250. The Recorder of Cardiff, Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke ordered the defendant to pay that sum within three months or serve an additional two months imprisonment in default.
South Wales Argus
19-06-2025
- General
- South Wales Argus
Monmouthshire taking longer to respond to noise complaints
Responses and closure rates for fly tipping, littering and dog fouling deteriorated even though there was an overall reduction in the number of incidents reported to Monmouthshire County Council in 2024/25. The number of complaints dropped from 619 in 2023/24 to 542 but the number dealt with within three working days dropped from 525, or 84.8 per cent, to just 383, or 70.7 per cent, last year. The number of cases closed within three months also fell from 440, 71.1 per cent, to 316 which was only 58.3 per cent. Principal environmental health officer Huw Owen blamed 'time constraints and ever increasing demands on the service and requests' when the annual public protection report was presented to the overview and scrutiny committee. He said the department, which includes environmental health, trading standards and licensing, deals with around 2,500 service requests a year which he said was 'about a 34 per cent increase since 2019.' Figures show the council received 370 noise complaints during 2024/25 and responded to 237 within three working days which was 64.1 per cent and that was below 74 per cent responded to within the same time period the previous year when the council dealt with 385 complaints. Fewer cases were also closed within months in 2024/25 with just 47.6 per cent done so compared to 219, or 56.9 per cent, the previous year. READ MORE: Other statutory nuisances, excluding noise complaints, also suffered from reduced performance despite a slight increase in the number of reports from 153 in 2023/24 to 158 last year. Of those 111, or 70 per cent, were responded to within three working days, down from 79.7 per cent the previous year, and 89, or 56.3 per cent, closed within three months which was also down on the 60.8 per cent the previous year. Public protection has an annual budget of £1.9 million and reported a £185,647 underspend in 2024/25 largely due to a decision not to fill the head of service post following the retirement of David Jones in September 2024, delays in appointing to vacant posts and it having generated more income than projected. In addition to the underspend the service also transferred £92,279 generated in previous years through the Proceeds of Crime Act to the council's main account to support its overall financial position. Jane Rogers, strategic director for social services who now has responsibility for public protection, said the decision not to fill the head of service post is being monitored and will be considered as part of a wider review of the authority's senior leadership team.
Leader Live
11-06-2025
- Leader Live
Money seized from criminals helps to fund project in Mold
Positive Futures Mold, which runs weekly drop-in sessions for 15 to 19-year-olds at the Daniel Owen Community Centre, received the grant through the Your Community, Your Choice fund, The fund is supported by the North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner, North Wales Police, and the North Wales Police and Community Trust (PACT). The fund is partly made up of money recovered from criminals through the Proceeds of Crime Act, ensuring that crime does not pay and instead benefits the community. Ellie Johnson, who runs Positive Futures Mold, said: "I was delighted to show the PCC the work we are doing here in Mold to engage young people and help reduce antisocial behaviour (ASB). "I have seen first-hand the kind of difference support and engagement can make in the lives of our young people and feel that our drop-ins can help reach young people and support them to go on to make better life choices, hopefully resulting in less police contact or potential criminal behaviour." The group was set up in September 2024 with initial funding from Mold Town Council covering room hire, insurance, and refreshments. Each session attracts around 20 young people, and the success of the programme led organisers to apply for additional funding through the public vote-based Your Community, Your Choice scheme. The grant will now be used to purchase games and sports equipment and to help fund a monthly guest speaker, with the aim of inspiring attendees. Ms Johnson said: "I believe that young people need a positive outlet and support system that works for them and this is what we feel we can offer at Positive Futures Mold. "The Daniel Owen Community Centre staff have also been excellent and very supportive in helping us to set up and have a base for the drop-in." The group provides a welcoming and inclusive space for young people, with a focus on those who feel disconnected from society and would benefit from consistent, supportive engagement. Attendees sign in and out each week and agree to a behaviour contract. Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin visited the group recently to see the impact of the funding. Mr Dunbobbin said: "Groups like Positive Futures Mold are the backbones of communities right across North Wales, giving opportunity and encouragement to the people they serve. "I was delighted to visit them and to see the work they are doing with young people in Mold. "My Police and Crime Plan for North Wales prioritises supporting communities and this group is an example of my plan and its aims in action." READ MORE: Wrexham Council rejects call to change hybrid working policy All aboard with Bluey! More than 1,000 fans meet pup at Corwen Station Ashley Rogers, chairman of PACT, said: "I am delighted PACT has been able to support Positive Futures Mold through the Your Community, Your Choice fund. "Young people are the citizens and leaders of tomorrow and anything we can do to engage with them and invest in them should be embraced. "I look forward to seeing Positive Futures Mold grow in the future and make even more of a difference for young people in the town." Since it began 12 years ago, Your Community, Your Choice has awarded nearly £660,000 to 214 projects across North Wales that aim to reduce crime and promote community safety. The scheme is designed to support the priorities set out in the Police and Crime Commissioner's Police and Crime Plan.
Wales Online
09-06-2025
- Wales Online
Gang boss who was arrested in his pants to pay back fraction of £764k gains
Gang boss who was arrested in his pants to pay back fraction of £764k gains Luke Mattan, 36, of Cardiff, was sentenced to 15 years and eight months imprisonment for conspiracy to supply class A drugs Drug dealer Luke Mattan arrested outside his home in underwear An organised crime gang leader who was arrested outside his home in his underwear has been ordered to pay back just £1,700 despite benefiting by more than £700,000. He was involved in the supply of thousands of pounds worth of cocaine. Luke Mattan, 36, of Cardiff, ran the crime group alongside his "number two" Saswall Abdullah, 27. Both men were involved in the supply of 12kg of cocaine. They were also connected with Joseph Thomas-Mullen, 49, a member of the Liverpool gang based in south Wales who would collect debt money from Mattan on behalf of an upstream supplier. In April 2020 an arrangement was made for Mattan to purchase 5kg of cocaine for £195,000 from Thomas-Mullen and the upstream supplier. For the latest court reports sign up to our crime newsletter. Mattan was also given two keyworker certificates to be used by his couriers in case they should be stopped by the police during the Covid-19 lockdown. Luke Mattan, 35, of Cardiff, was involved in the supply of 12kg of cocaine. (Image: South Wales Police ) Mattan's courier Carla Trace, 43, drove a hired Nissan Juke wearing a carers uniform to London on April 5, 2020, to pick up the 5kg of cocaine before stopping at an address in Fairwater, Cardiff, where Abdullah lived. Trace was arrested on April 23, 2020. Article continues below Luke Mattan was arrested on June 17, 2020, at his home. Footage released by South Wales Police showed the dealer in his underwear as police armed with a taser place him in handcuffs outside his front door. Thomas-Mullen was arrested on July 17, 2020 at Cardiff Airport upon returning from Malaga, and Adullah on July 22, 2020. Luke Mattan's siblings, Kirsty Mattan, 34, and Jordan Mattan, 32, were also involved in the enterprise as couriers. In April 2020, Kirsty Mattan collected £14,480 on behalf of her brother. She also acted as a courier by delivering money and a gram of cocaine to Thomas-Mullen. Drug dealer Luke Mattan, 35, was arrested outside his home in Cardiff in his underwear. (Image: South Wales Police ) Kirsty Mattan was arrested in August 2020 and denied being involved, but claimed others had access to her phone. Jordan Mattan, who acted as a "storeman" of class A drugs, was arrested on June 17, 2020. He was found to have delivered 600g of cocaine to Porth in March 2020. Luke Mattan, of Fairwater, Cardiff, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drugs. He was sentenced to 15 years and eight months imprisonment, last year. Article continues below A Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Monday heard Mattan had benefited to the tune of £764,435 as a result of his offending, but only has assets worth £1,788. Judge Shomon Khan ordered the defendant to pay that sum within three months or serve an additional one month imprisonment in default.
