A businessman hit with a massive confiscation order after being convicted of cultivating cannabis in a disused Forfar church three years ago has paid back just a fraction of the money.
Skip hire firm boss Calum Menzies from Perth avoided a jail sentence after admitting the crime at Forfar Sheriff Court but was later hit with a £106,000 confiscation order more than £87,000 of which is still outstanding.
A Courier investigation today reveals he is just one of hundreds of drug dealers, fraudsters and benefits cheats who have not paid back what has been demanded from them by Scotland’s courts.
However, Mr Menzies said the “flawed” system, often lauded by Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill, has prevented him paying back the money to the taxpayer.
He claims strict background checks on anyone interested in buying his property and knock-on effects to his former business, Fair City Skip Hire, which he said has folded because of issues spinning out from the order, mean he cannot pay the money.
Others with major outstanding bills to the taxpayer include former Fife Council worker John Lamberton, who cheated family members and the taxman out of hundreds of thousands of pounds and has not handed over a penny of the £200,000 ordered by the courts.
The criminal couple with the biggest debt are Anthony Kearney and Donna McCafferty, arrested in Spain after topping a “most wanted” list , who have paid back less than 4% of a £1 million seizure order imposed on their ill-gotten gains.
The Scottish Court Service failed to respond to The Courier’s questions about the Cashback for Communities scheme.
For our full investigation, see Monday’s Courier or try our digital edition.