Bareknuckle boxer loses jail appeal

A bareknuckle boxer who was jailed for 17 months after amassing almost £120,000 worth of illegitimate income over several years has failed in an appeal court challenge to his sentence.

John David Joyce (29), of Martindale Crescent, Middleton, was sentenced at Bolton Crown Court in January after admitting four counts of dealing in and two counts of possession of criminal property.

Joyce admitted having amassed property, including expensive cars, jewellery, clothing and cash, through organising and fighting in bareknuckle fights, unlicensed car trading, benefit fraud and income tax evasion.

He admitted receiving between £1,500 and £2,000 for each fight he competed in and up to £700 for each fight he organised in the travelling community.

He was caught and arrested after police - suspicious of him living well beyond his visible means - searched his home and investigated his bank accounts.

On Friday, lawyers representing “largely illiterate” Joyce argued before Mr Justice Penry-Davey and Mr Justice Foskett at London’s Criminal Appeal Court that the sentence was too long.

Among his mitigation was the fact that he had done substantial good work within his community, the court was told.

But, dismissing his appeal, Mr Justice Penry-Davey said: “We have looked at the picture overall.

“There were substantial sums involved from different sources. The offences went on over a period of some years.”