Middleton man jailed for money laundering

Convicted of fraud: John David Joyce

A Middleton man who fraudulently earned tens of thousands of pounds has been jailed, following an investigation into a series of shootings.

In May 2006 a sixth shooting over a five week period took place at a house used by the now convicted fraudster and he was arrested the following month on suspicion of money laundering.

John David Joyce of Thirlmere Drive, Langley was sentenced to 17 months in prison today, Thursday 3 January. He had earlier pleaded guilty to five counts of money laundering between April 2003 and June 2006.

Joyce's Girlfriend Stephanie Taylor was given a 12 month conditional discharge after pleading guilty to one charge of money laundering. This related to a convertible car worth £19,500 that Joyce gave her as a gift.

Detective Constable John Townsend of the Financial Investigation Unit said: "We were determined to make the streets of Langley safer in whatever way we could. Joyce had no legitimate income but flaunted his wealth with expensive cars, designer clothes and lavish gifts to his girlfriend. The giving and receiving of a gift funded by crime is a crime in itself and Greater Manchester Police is determined to use the law to effectively deal with such people, reassuring communities that crime does not pay. We are hoping that more of Joyce's expensive assets will be confiscated in a hearing in February."

The convictions are the result of Operation Cedar, launched by police officers in Rochdale in response to a series of shootings in the Langley area in Spring 2006.

Inquiries showed that Joyce was receiving unemployment benefit but there had been numerous bank transactions totaling over £80,000 in the accounts of Joyce and Taylor, including one deposit of £14,350 in cash.

On 14 June 2006 Joyce and Taylor were arrested at their house on Thirlmere Drive on suspicion of money laundering.

Officers seized a Saab 93 Aero and a Peugeot 307 convertible, collectively worth over £25,000, from outside the property.

Paperwork relating to the recent possession of a BMW X5 worth a further £18,000 was also seized.

They also found over £15,000 in cash, jewellery, and designer goods, including an Armani mountain bike, worth £1,000.

When interviewed Joyce stated he got his money from car dealing, and lending on the cars he sold.

He also admitted that he had bought and sold cars in a false name because he was selling cars to people who may attract police attention and he wanted to distance himself from them.

Joyce and Taylor were bailed for further inquiries. Both were ultimately charged with six counts of money laundering, relating to transferring criminal property to their bank accounts and possessing criminal property.