This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/north_east/7492215.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Price of criminal's mansion cut | |
| (about 18 hours later) | |
| The mansion of a jailed millionaire "thug" has had its price tag cut to under £1m in a bid to sell it. | The mansion of a jailed millionaire "thug" has had its price tag cut to under £1m in a bid to sell it. |
| Builder John Gizzi, from St Asaph in Denbighshire, is serving five-and-a-half years for grievous bodily harm. | Builder John Gizzi, from St Asaph in Denbighshire, is serving five-and-a-half years for grievous bodily harm. |
| A judge ruled he must pay £2.6m under a confiscation order or face an extra eight years in jail. | A judge ruled he must pay £2.6m under a confiscation order or face an extra eight years in jail. |
| Gizzi's Bronwylfa Hall country home was earlier reduced in price from £1.75m to £1.3m, but now estate agents have further cut the price tag to £900,000. | Gizzi's Bronwylfa Hall country home was earlier reduced in price from £1.75m to £1.3m, but now estate agents have further cut the price tag to £900,000. |
| Agents Strutt and Parker say they are now looking for "best and final offers" by the end of the month on the five-bedroom property with a tennis court and leisure complex set in 4.7 acres. | |
| At the time of his trial in January 2006 Gizzi was described as a "thug" and "bully" who assaulted homeless people and preyed on the weak and vulnerable. | |
| Criminal lifestyle | Criminal lifestyle |
| Mold Crown Court heard that Gizzi had evaded up to £750,000 in duty. | |
| The criminal also asked for 22 offences of mortgage fraud involving almost £1.5m to be taken into consideration. | The criminal also asked for 22 offences of mortgage fraud involving almost £1.5m to be taken into consideration. |
| In March 2006, a judge found Gizzi had benefited by £6.89m from his criminal lifestyle. | In March 2006, a judge found Gizzi had benefited by £6.89m from his criminal lifestyle. |
| The realisable assets, including Bronwylfa Hall and about 20 other properties, was estimated at £2.6m. | The realisable assets, including Bronwylfa Hall and about 20 other properties, was estimated at £2.6m. |
| He was told he would have to repay the money within six months, or his jail sentence would automatically be increased. | He was told he would have to repay the money within six months, or his jail sentence would automatically be increased. |
| On the market | On the market |
| Gizzi has already been given more time to pay the order which is based on his recoverable assets. | Gizzi has already been given more time to pay the order which is based on his recoverable assets. |
| If Bronwylfa Hall is sold for less, then his legal team will ask the court for the original order to be reduced. | If Bronwylfa Hall is sold for less, then his legal team will ask the court for the original order to be reduced. |
| At the last hearing a total of five of Gizzi's properties had been sold and the money handed over. | At the last hearing a total of five of Gizzi's properties had been sold and the money handed over. |
| However, three smaller properties and his single largest asset, his own home, were still on the market. | However, three smaller properties and his single largest asset, his own home, were still on the market. |
| At the time the original order was made under The Proceeds of Crime Act, police said it meant he would be penniless and homeless when he was released. | At the time the original order was made under The Proceeds of Crime Act, police said it meant he would be penniless and homeless when he was released. |
| But when he is released and if he makes any money in the next six years police can still go after Gizzi for a further £4m. | But when he is released and if he makes any money in the next six years police can still go after Gizzi for a further £4m. |