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| Gangster free after paying £1.7m | Gangster free after paying £1.7m |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| A convicted gangster said to have "ruled" a town through threats and intimidation has been freed from jail. | A convicted gangster said to have "ruled" a town through threats and intimidation has been freed from jail. |
| Millionaire builder John Gizzi, 36, from St Asaph, Denbighshire was jailed for five-and-a-half years in 2006. | Millionaire builder John Gizzi, 36, from St Asaph, Denbighshire was jailed for five-and-a-half years in 2006. |
| His trial heard he was a "thug" and "bully" who assaulted homeless people and preyed on the weak and vulnerable in the Rhyl area. | His trial heard he was a "thug" and "bully" who assaulted homeless people and preyed on the weak and vulnerable in the Rhyl area. |
| He was freed after a judge at Mold Crown Court heard he had repaid £1m under the Proceeds of Crime Act. | |
| An original order made under the Act found Gizzi had benefited to the tune of £6.89m from his crimes. | An original order made under the Act found Gizzi had benefited to the tune of £6.89m from his crimes. |
| He was ordered to repay £2.6m, but that figure was based on a valuation of his assets before the recession. | He was ordered to repay £2.6m, but that figure was based on a valuation of his assets before the recession. |
| They included a mansion which had been originally valued at £1.7m but eventually sold for £850,000. | They included a mansion which had been originally valued at £1.7m but eventually sold for £850,000. |
| Tight security | Tight security |
| Gizzi had been due for release in December 2008, but he was ordered to serve another seven years because he had failed to repay the original £2.6m. | Gizzi had been due for release in December 2008, but he was ordered to serve another seven years because he had failed to repay the original £2.6m. |
| However, on Thursday Judge John Rogers QC reduced the order after the court - which was surrounded by tight police security - was told all his assets had been sold off. | However, on Thursday Judge John Rogers QC reduced the order after the court - which was surrounded by tight police security - was told all his assets had been sold off. |
| As well as the mansion, 20 other mortgage properties were sold, and a Rolex watch. | As well as the mansion, 20 other mortgage properties were sold, and a Rolex watch. |
| Four number plates - JDG 1 to 4 - had also been sold along with a fleet of luxury cars including a Bentley Continental, Range Rover and a Mercedes. | Four number plates - JDG 1 to 4 - had also been sold along with a fleet of luxury cars including a Bentley Continental, Range Rover and a Mercedes. |
| Judge Rogers discharged the confiscation order and Gizzi was formally released. | Judge Rogers discharged the confiscation order and Gizzi was formally released. |
| Gizzi's mansion sold for half its original value of £1.7m | Gizzi's mansion sold for half its original value of £1.7m |
| An application by prosecutor Simon Mills that Gizzi should be responsible for the costs of the CPS and the receiver appointed to sell the property was rejected. | An application by prosecutor Simon Mills that Gizzi should be responsible for the costs of the CPS and the receiver appointed to sell the property was rejected. |
| The judge said those costs should come out of the reduced order. | The judge said those costs should come out of the reduced order. |
| However, the court heard that the regional asset recovery team could pursue Gizzi for more money if they thought he could afford it in the future. | However, the court heard that the regional asset recovery team could pursue Gizzi for more money if they thought he could afford it in the future. |
| Judge Rogers told Gizzi: "As the crown point out, the actual benefit figure is a very much higher figure. | Judge Rogers told Gizzi: "As the crown point out, the actual benefit figure is a very much higher figure. |
| "It may well be that the crown will seek, if circumstances permit, to obtain further monies. That is a matter which must await events." | "It may well be that the crown will seek, if circumstances permit, to obtain further monies. That is a matter which must await events." |
| The judge said the fall in the property market was to blame for the lower-than-expected sum repaid, and not Gizzi. | The judge said the fall in the property market was to blame for the lower-than-expected sum repaid, and not Gizzi. |
| It was previously found that Gizzi had made "tainted gifts" to his parents' building firm in the form of a building plot in Towyn, and a property in Rhyl. | It was previously found that Gizzi had made "tainted gifts" to his parents' building firm in the form of a building plot in Towyn, and a property in Rhyl. |
| The plot, which now has four houses on it, is due to be sold this week to his parents for £430,000. | The plot, which now has four houses on it, is due to be sold this week to his parents for £430,000. |
| Gizzi had previously admitted two charges of causing grievous bodily harm, one of assault causing actual bodily harm and one of conspiracy to supply counterfeit cigarettes. | Gizzi had previously admitted two charges of causing grievous bodily harm, one of assault causing actual bodily harm and one of conspiracy to supply counterfeit cigarettes. |
| He also asked for 22 offences of mortgage fraud - involving almost £1.5m - to be taken into consideration. | He also asked for 22 offences of mortgage fraud - involving almost £1.5m - to be taken into consideration. |