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Liam Friar was assessed by Newcastle Crown Court as having benefited from crime by about £199,833, but the amount he was ordered to repay at the time was £2,500. ITV News Tyne Tees reported that the sum reflected the value of a car identified as an available asset—not the full assessed benefit.
What was Liam Friar ordered to pay?
According to ITV News Tyne Tees’ report published on 15 February 2023, Friar had to pay £2,500 within three months. The court assessed his benefit from crime at about £199,833, but the report says his available assets amounted to a car valued at £2,500.
Those figures describe different things: the assessed benefit was the amount the court attributed to his criminal activity, while the immediate repayment order reflected assets ITV reported were available to recover. ITV also reported that an improvement in Friar’s finances could make him liable to pay more of the outstanding amount.
How the case unfolded
ITV reported that Friar pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine with intent to supply and received a 31-month prison sentence. His case later returned to Newcastle Crown Court for a confiscation hearing under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
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Evidence reported by ITV
The report said police stopped a car in October with Friar as a passenger. He had £1,300 in cash and a bag with white powder residue, ITV reported. A search at custody found nine bags of cocaine weighing 3.9 grams in his shoe.
Officers searching his home reportedly recovered £3,450 in cash and a watch. ITV said a phone examination identified 18 people on a debtors list and WhatsApp messages indicating drug sales. The report also said £86,122 entered three of Friar’s bank accounts between January 2020 and July 2021, despite no legitimate income.
What the judge said
ITV identified Judge Christopher Prince as the judge at Newcastle Crown Court. The report quoted him as saying: “It doesn’t require me to lecture you on the impact cocaine has on users.” He also said: “You were personally profiting from the sales you were making from such a dangerous, illegal drug.”
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The headline figure of almost £200,000 refers to the court’s reported assessment of benefit from crime. It was not the sum Friar was immediately ordered to pay. The £2,500 order was the amount due within three months, corresponding to the reported value of his available car asset.
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The case details here are based on ITV’s 15 February 2023 report. No accessible primary court judgment, confiscation order or police release was located to independently confirm the reported particulars.
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