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Seized cash back with footballer Seized cash back with footballer
(1 day later)
Nearly £9,000 has been handed back to ex-Wales footballer Nathan Blake, after police suspicions the money had come from crime were rejected by a court.Nearly £9,000 has been handed back to ex-Wales footballer Nathan Blake, after police suspicions the money had come from crime were rejected by a court.
The money was found in a car being driven by Mr Blake's half-brother Jason Weir in Cardigan in April 2006. The money was found in a car being driven by his half-brother Jason Weir in Cardigan in April 2006.
Mr Weir told Dyfed-Powys Police he had borrowed the money from ex-Premiership star Mr Blake to start a business. Mr Weir told Dyfed-Powys Police he had borrowed the money from the former Premiership star to start a business.
Police had applied for the cash to be forfeited, but a Cardigan magistrate was "not satisfied" it came from crime.Police had applied for the cash to be forfeited, but a Cardigan magistrate was "not satisfied" it came from crime.
Mr Blake, who played as a striker for Cardiff City, Bolton and Blackburn and other clubs, said he was "very glad" the case was over and his money was being returned. The former Cardiff City, Bolton and Blackburn striker said he was "very glad" the case was over and his money was being returned.
The court heard Mr Weir, 41, was stopped by police when driving Mr Blake's green Audi TT convertible. The court heard that Mr Weir, 41, was stopped by police when driving the ex-player's green Audi TT convertible.
It has taken a long time but I am relieved that my money is being returned to me Nathan BlakeIt has taken a long time but I am relieved that my money is being returned to me Nathan Blake
Prosecutor Robin Rouch told magistrates police were suspicious because the car had blacked-out windows.Prosecutor Robin Rouch told magistrates police were suspicious because the car had blacked-out windows.
"The officers found a bag containing 86 bundles of cash under the driver's seat," he said."The officers found a bag containing 86 bundles of cash under the driver's seat," he said.
"When officers spoke to Weir he appeared nervous, and there was a bag partly concealed under the driver's seat."When officers spoke to Weir he appeared nervous, and there was a bag partly concealed under the driver's seat.
"Weir said he had borrowed the money from his wealthy brother to start up a business.""Weir said he had borrowed the money from his wealthy brother to start up a business."
The court heard Mr Weir, from Newport, told police he was a property developer.The court heard Mr Weir, from Newport, told police he was a property developer.
"Enquiries revealed he was not registered as a company director and there was no trace of his having employment," said Mr Rouch, adding that Mr Weir had previous convictions for drug trafficking and dishonesty."Enquiries revealed he was not registered as a company director and there was no trace of his having employment," said Mr Rouch, adding that Mr Weir had previous convictions for drug trafficking and dishonesty.
"Police believed that, on the balance of probability, his lifestyle was funded by criminal conduct.""Police believed that, on the balance of probability, his lifestyle was funded by criminal conduct."
'No truth whatsoever''No truth whatsoever'
Dyfed-Powys Police had applied for the £8,590 to be forfeited under the Proceeds of Crime Act.Dyfed-Powys Police had applied for the £8,590 to be forfeited under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
Mr Blake, also from Newport, told the hearing there was "no truth whatsoever" in suspicions that the money from was crime and that the brothers had moved into property development after he had retired from professional football.Mr Blake, also from Newport, told the hearing there was "no truth whatsoever" in suspicions that the money from was crime and that the brothers had moved into property development after he had retired from professional football.
Magistrate Peter Loxley said he was "not satisfied" the cash was obtained by criminal conduct and ordered it to be returned to Mr Blake.Magistrate Peter Loxley said he was "not satisfied" the cash was obtained by criminal conduct and ordered it to be returned to Mr Blake.
Reacting to the judgement, Mr Blake, 35, said: "I am very glad this is all over".Reacting to the judgement, Mr Blake, 35, said: "I am very glad this is all over".
"It has taken a long time but I am relieved that my money is being returned to me. It has given me faith in the judicial system.""It has taken a long time but I am relieved that my money is being returned to me. It has given me faith in the judicial system."