A transport boss, who helped launder some of the profits of a £6 million illicit veterinary medicine scam - Europe's largest ever - was ordered to pay over £25,000 today or go to prison for fourteen months.
Mark Harvey, 53, of Hollyhurst, Wilsley Pound, Sissinghurst, Kent - boss of Paddock Wood-based Trans-Vitesse Ltd. - made £27,777 from the scam.
He pleaded guilty at Croydon Crown Court last year to laundering £292,000 between September 1 2006 and January 12 2008 in relation to 'Eurovet' profits - a French-based company that illegally sold animal medicines in the UK.
The money was paid through a company he created and Harvey was sentenced to twelve months imprisonment, suspended for two years, and ordered to perform 275 hours community service.
A Proceeds of Crime Act investigation revealed realisable assets belonging to Harvey totalling £26,273 and he has six months to pay the sum or go to prison.
"He must have known it was an underhand business that was best kept as far away from the authorities as possible," announced Judge Nicholas Ainley when sentencing Harvey last year.
"He knew he was dealing with an illegitimate business enterprise and the illegitimate sale of veterinary products in the UK."
Harvey, whose freight company had a lucrative Formula One contract, ran into tax problems in 2006 and owed £41,000 VAT.
He was then introduced to 'Eurovet' boss Ronald Meddes, 73, who was a well-known local personality involved in local hunts and the horse community and agreed to get involved in the business.
Harvey became the company director of BEDRA and his wife Debbie the company secretary, but it was simply a front to funnel illegal UK profits to Meddes.
"We are talking here about millions of pounds," said Judge Ainley. "This business was turning over very substantial amounts of money indeed."
Illegal medicines were seized at Dover and Harvey's forged signature was discovered on paperwork, resulting in him being quizzed on April 3 2007 by the Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) at a motorway service station.
Despite this scare Harvey continued laundering criminal cash for Meddes who told him BEDRA would never file accounts and be struck-off the company register.
"There is no evidence Mr. Harvey had ever been involved in sharp practise before, but he was invited to enter in an underhand business and he knew it," ruled the Judge.
"He knew he was dealing with a crook prepared to forge his signature and use his company to transfer illicit veterinary products.
"He is in it up to his neck and permitted BEDRA to trade and launder money to the Meddes accounts."
The judge told Harvey: It was your fault you were overawed by an extremely dangerous, skilful and impressive conman. A man you wanted to work with.
"This is what happens when you involve yourself with criminals."
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