An Urmston man convicted of producing cannabis has been ordered to pay close to £150,000 that he made from the proceeds.

Neil Lambert Jones, 53, was convicted of the production of cannabis and possession of £15,000 in criminal cash last year.

He was sentenced to two years imprisonment suspended for two years last September and was also ordered to do 200 hours of unpaid work and 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

Confiscation proceedings were also commenced under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

Last month Jones’s confiscation hearing took place at Minshull Street Crown Court. It was found that he had benefited from crime to the sum of £149,809.50.

He was ordered to pay the total amount of £149,809.50 within three months or face a prison sentence of two years imprisonment in default.

GMP Financial Investigator, Mark Chesters, said: “It was established that over the previous six years Jones had only received a modest income from various jobs including a window cleaning round. He was also subsidised by DWP benefits.

"Yet he managed to pay all his household expenses, buy a boat with outboard motor and trailer, expensive pedal cycles and used his credit card almost daily to pay for fast food and meals out, which he later paid off in cash.

“In addition to having his £15,000 in cash forfeited under the cash seizure provisions of the Proceeds of Crime Act, Jones is now ordered to pay a confiscation order of £149,809.50.

"I hope this reassures the public that Greater Manchester Police will use all legislation to strip assets from criminals whenever the opportunity arises.”