Offender sentenced and high‑value assets seized

A man has been sentenced to three years in prison and his assets seized for failing to pay back the proceeds of crime. 

Steven Glassey, 48, of no fixed address, was arrested yesterday (12 Feb) by officers from the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU) and the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit (SEROCU) for failing to pay back an original confiscation order of £161,261.

The order was made following Glassey’s conviction for the cultivation of cannabis and possession with intent to supply cannabis back in 2023.

Due to his failure to pay the original order, Glassey has accrued interest and now owes £176,106. 

Glassey was arrested on his narrowboat which was moored in Ormskirk on the Liverpool and Leeds Canal. This, along with other possessions, has been seized. He appeared at North Somerset Magistrates’ Court this morning (13 Feb) where the Magistrate said Glassey had deliberately withheld money and showed wilful neglect in paying his confiscation order before handing him a three-year sentence.

Financial Investigator Amanda Alldridge from SWROCU said: “The court had agreed the sum of money obtained through criminal activity that Glassey should pay back, but he failed to do so and he previously failed to attend court when requested in January last year. We were given the authority to seize items from him, including his narrowboat, a motorhome, an electric bike and a car, which will be sold and used to pay the amount owed.” 

SEROCU’s Financial Investigations Manager Julie Thompson said: “This sends out a strong message that failure to pay confiscation orders imposed by the courts, can result in lengthy prison sentences. SEROCU will continue its work tracing and tracking down those who fail to pay confiscation orders to ensure that criminals are aware that their illegal activities do not pay.” 

The money received from the sale of Glassey’s possessions will be paid to His Majesty’s Court Service and then shared between the agencies involved in bringing him to justice for his crimes. Glassey will still owe the remaining balance when released. 

If you have information about anyone who you suspect could be living off the proceeds of crime, you can report your concerns anonymously to Crimestoppers. 

Officers seized a motorhome and narrowboat which will be sold and the proceeds used towards Glassey's confiscation order