Menu
20/04/2011
Three Convicted For Money Laundering Network
Three people have been found guilty at Kingston Crown Court for their part in a large-scale money laundering network which operated between Britain and Jamaica.
The convictions follow an extensive investigation by financial detectives from the Metropolitan Police Service's Trident, working closely with colleagues from Jamaica.
Burnett Morris, 48, his wife Paulette Morris, 49, were found guilty of conspiracy to launder money; co-defendant Kevin Robinson, 40, was found guilty of transferring criminal property out of the jurisdiction of the UK.
The prosecution maintained that the cash was the proceeds of Burnett Morris' drug dealing on the streets of south London.
The network, headed by Burnett Morris and his wife Paulette, used associates and family members to send small amounts of money, often £900 a time. Cash was sent almost daily, sometimes up to five times a day. Over a six-year period, the network transferred more than £500,000. In addition Paulette spent more than £250,000 on travel to and from Jamaica and Florida and on luxury items including designer clothes, a diamond valued at £8,000 and other jewellery. She rented a safety deposit at Harrods.
Whilst living a millionaire's lifestyle, Paulette and Burnett Morris claimed benefits, including housing allowance, Council Tax benefit and free school meals for two of their children.
Enquiries in Jamaica have shown that the family own two luxurious houses on the outskirts of Kingston.
The defendants were arrested on 14 May 2009 at addresses in south-east London and Cambridge during an operation that involved more than 100 officers from Trident, Lewisham borough, the Met's Territorial Support Group and Met dog units.
Four others - Gerard Dean Wright, 28, Fiona Holness, 32, Roisin Keville, 34, Dwayne Samuel, 21 - had pleaded guilty to transferring criminal property out of the jurisdiction of the UK at an earlier hearing.
Sentencing is scheduled to take place at Kingston Crown Court on 27 May.
(BMcN)
The convictions follow an extensive investigation by financial detectives from the Metropolitan Police Service's Trident, working closely with colleagues from Jamaica.
Burnett Morris, 48, his wife Paulette Morris, 49, were found guilty of conspiracy to launder money; co-defendant Kevin Robinson, 40, was found guilty of transferring criminal property out of the jurisdiction of the UK.
The prosecution maintained that the cash was the proceeds of Burnett Morris' drug dealing on the streets of south London.
The network, headed by Burnett Morris and his wife Paulette, used associates and family members to send small amounts of money, often £900 a time. Cash was sent almost daily, sometimes up to five times a day. Over a six-year period, the network transferred more than £500,000. In addition Paulette spent more than £250,000 on travel to and from Jamaica and Florida and on luxury items including designer clothes, a diamond valued at £8,000 and other jewellery. She rented a safety deposit at Harrods.
Whilst living a millionaire's lifestyle, Paulette and Burnett Morris claimed benefits, including housing allowance, Council Tax benefit and free school meals for two of their children.
Enquiries in Jamaica have shown that the family own two luxurious houses on the outskirts of Kingston.
The defendants were arrested on 14 May 2009 at addresses in south-east London and Cambridge during an operation that involved more than 100 officers from Trident, Lewisham borough, the Met's Territorial Support Group and Met dog units.
Four others - Gerard Dean Wright, 28, Fiona Holness, 32, Roisin Keville, 34, Dwayne Samuel, 21 - had pleaded guilty to transferring criminal property out of the jurisdiction of the UK at an earlier hearing.
Sentencing is scheduled to take place at Kingston Crown Court on 27 May.
(BMcN)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
31 March 2010
£100k Rewards For 1994 Murder
A £100,000 reward is being offered by detectives hunting the killer of Doreen Morris, who was murdered at her home in Holyhead in 1994. Last Thursday marked the sixteenth anniversary of the death of the 64-year-old woman, whose badly burnt remains were discovered at her home Penrhyn Uchaf on Mill Lane.
£100k Rewards For 1994 Murder
A £100,000 reward is being offered by detectives hunting the killer of Doreen Morris, who was murdered at her home in Holyhead in 1994. Last Thursday marked the sixteenth anniversary of the death of the 64-year-old woman, whose badly burnt remains were discovered at her home Penrhyn Uchaf on Mill Lane.
09 March 2004
Visits to UK museums rise by 11m from 2001
More people are taking advantage of free admission to museums and galleries in England, according to new figures out today. Visits have risen by nearly 11 million since the introduction of the free admissions policy in December 2001. There were 5.3 million extra visitors in the first year, and an extra 5.6 million last year.
Visits to UK museums rise by 11m from 2001
More people are taking advantage of free admission to museums and galleries in England, according to new figures out today. Visits have risen by nearly 11 million since the introduction of the free admissions policy in December 2001. There were 5.3 million extra visitors in the first year, and an extra 5.6 million last year.
25 February 2013
Actor Jailed For 'Sexsomnia' Rape Attack
An actor has been jailed for eight years when he was found guilty of raping a 15-year-old girlat a house party. 42-year-old Simon Morris claimed he was suffering from the sleep disorder sexsomnia, was fast asleep when the attack happened and could not remember the incident.
Actor Jailed For 'Sexsomnia' Rape Attack
An actor has been jailed for eight years when he was found guilty of raping a 15-year-old girlat a house party. 42-year-old Simon Morris claimed he was suffering from the sleep disorder sexsomnia, was fast asleep when the attack happened and could not remember the incident.
20 June 2005
Woman found guilty over mincer murder
A woman has been found guilty of the murder of a man, whose body was fed through a domestic mincer. Twenty-three-year-old Karen Morris, from Selly Park in Birmingham, was convicted of the murder of Nelvaughn Brade after her plea of manslaughter due to diminished responsibility was rejected.
Woman found guilty over mincer murder
A woman has been found guilty of the murder of a man, whose body was fed through a domestic mincer. Twenty-three-year-old Karen Morris, from Selly Park in Birmingham, was convicted of the murder of Nelvaughn Brade after her plea of manslaughter due to diminished responsibility was rejected.
09 January 2015
PFA Head Apologises For Comparing Ched Evans Case To Hillsborough Disaster
The Head of the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) has apologised to the families affected by the Hillsborough disaster for comparing their campaign to Ched Evans case. He told Sky Sports: "I never intended to cause any offence with what I said about Hillsborough. "If people feel that way about it then I can only apologise.
PFA Head Apologises For Comparing Ched Evans Case To Hillsborough Disaster
The Head of the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) has apologised to the families affected by the Hillsborough disaster for comparing their campaign to Ched Evans case. He told Sky Sports: "I never intended to cause any offence with what I said about Hillsborough. "If people feel that way about it then I can only apologise.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:After a dry start this morning rain will spread from the northwest across all parts. This afternoon will be dull with some patchy rain and drizzle. Becoming much milder through the afternoon. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:A cloudy evening and night with a little light rain or drizzle, perhaps some clear periods developing along the east coast. A very mild night everywhere. Minimum temperature 10 °C.
