Kevin Pyle admitted theft from an employer at Durham Crown Court, last November. The offence involved computer monitoring equipment belonging to AEL Systems, of Aycliffe Business Park, Newton Aycliffe, and was said to have taken place between November 1, 2016, and September 3, 2017. The 26-year-old defendant, of Denham Place, Newton Aycliffe, returned to the court for sentence, on December 15, when he received a 14-month prison sentence, suspended for two years. He was also ordered to observe a five-month electrically-monitored home curfew between 7pm and 7am. Proceeds of crime proceedings were also triggered to see what could be confiscated from the defendant. Jonathan Harley, for the Crown, said it was now agreed with the defence that Pyle accepts a £34,489 benefit figure from the offence.
Cannabis farmer was tending 122-plant crop at Brandon house
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Fraudster benefited by £14k but can only pay back £692
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A MAN who operated a flourishing cannabis farm in a disused church has been given a three-month time extension to meet a crime proceeds confiscation order. It was made against Paul McAllister at Durham Crown Court on December 22, when it was agreed he benefited from his crime by £281,343. The available amount for confiscation was put at £59,790 and he was given three months to pay or risk a further 18-months behind bars, on top of the 32-months he was sentenced to, at the court last July. But his case was mentioned again yesterday as the £59,790 has yet to be paid. Ian West, for the Crown, told Judge Ray Singh: “We are now beyond that time limit, but I can confirm the defence has been proactive in their efforts and consequently I’ve been told to offer no opposition to an extension.”