A SCOTS businessman has been given six months to pay back £65,000 under the proceeds of crime legislation after admitting to supplying cocaine.
Paul Clarkson was jailed for eight months back in December 2021 after a tip-off to police found him in possession of £1,630 of cocaine, sealable bags used for supplying drugs and a mobile phone containing messages relating to the supply of controlled drugs.
The 45-year-old, whose family own a variety of pubs and restaurants in Aberdeen, was found guilty by Aberdeen Sheriff Court of supplying class A drugs between 2019 and 2021.
After carrying out his sentence, the shamed businessman was ordered at Aberdeen Sheriff Court last week to pay £65,000 within six months under The Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.
Clarkson had previously been arrested in November 2021 after messages found on his phone appeared to be related to drug deals.
However, the disgraced businessman denied the accusations and was later released – only to later be jailed just a month later after a second check was carried out.
Solicitor Ian Woodward-Nutt claimed at the court case in 2021 that Clarkson had been “struggling with his mental health and the breakdown of his marriage.”
Sheriff Morag McLaughlin stated at the 2021 case: “I find that no other disposal is suitable, and a custodial disposal is appropriate.
“I’m taking into account when doing that the seriousness of this charge.
“The dealing was over a considerable period of time, it was direct dealing to members of the public a Class A drug – and albeit it wasn’t for financial gain, it was for personal gain.
“I consider that only a custodial sentence is appropriate as a punishment and a means of expressing disapproval.”
Deputy Procurator Fiscal Sineidin Corrins said of last week’s ruling: “Following Paul Clarkson’s conviction, COPFS Proceeds of Crime Team have now ensured that the profits he made from supplying drugs have been taken away.
“This should serve as a warning to all criminals involved in supplying drugs that the Crown will not stop at prosecution.
“Even after a conviction, we will use Proceeds of Crime legislation to ensure illegally gained funds are confiscated.
“These funds will be added to those already gathered from Proceeds of Crime and will be re-invested in Scottish communities through the CashBack for Communities programme.”
