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£1.5m bill for restaurant owners £1.5m bill for restaurant owners
(about 7 hours later)
The owners of a popular Chinese restaurant in Cardiff have been ordered to repay £1.5m after being convicted of money laundering.The owners of a popular Chinese restaurant in Cardiff have been ordered to repay £1.5m after being convicted of money laundering.
Kin Chan, 42, and his wife Carina, 32, who run the Happy Gathering restaurant in Canton, also face jail if the money is not paid within 12 months.Kin Chan, 42, and his wife Carina, 32, who run the Happy Gathering restaurant in Canton, also face jail if the money is not paid within 12 months.
The couple admitted money laundering in April 2005 and had been the subject of a two-year investigation.The couple admitted money laundering in April 2005 and had been the subject of a two-year investigation.
The confiscation of assets order was made by a judge at Cardiff Crown Court.The confiscation of assets order was made by a judge at Cardiff Crown Court.
Chan was ordered to repay £1.2m and his wife £300,000, after the investigation into their assets by the South Wales regional asset recovery team after the paid admitted an offence under the Proceeds of Crime Act. Chan was ordered to repay £1.2m and his wife £300,000, after the investigation into their assets by the South Wales regional asset recovery team after the pair admitted an offence under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
These defendants have a criminal lifestyle and I am making an order requiring them to pay a specific amount Judge David Wynn MorganThese defendants have a criminal lifestyle and I am making an order requiring them to pay a specific amount Judge David Wynn Morgan
After admitting laundering £128,000 two years ago, Chan had been jailed for six months and his wife was given a three-month suspended sentence.After admitting laundering £128,000 two years ago, Chan had been jailed for six months and his wife was given a three-month suspended sentence.
The pair face now further jail terms if they fail to pay the £1.5m within 12 months - Chan for five years and his wife for two-and-a-half years.The pair face now further jail terms if they fail to pay the £1.5m within 12 months - Chan for five years and his wife for two-and-a-half years.
The court heard the couple had suppressed the amount of takings at the restaurant they have run for 10 years, leading to tax evasion and non-payment of VAT.The court heard the couple had suppressed the amount of takings at the restaurant they have run for 10 years, leading to tax evasion and non-payment of VAT.
The couple, who live with their two children in a £500,000 house in Llandaff, were said to have extensive property interests in Britain and Hong Kong.The couple, who live with their two children in a £500,000 house in Llandaff, were said to have extensive property interests in Britain and Hong Kong.
The asset recovery team - comprising police, HM Revenue and Customs and Inland Revenue officials - followed a paper trail of 17 bank accounts and property transactions during the inquiry, the court was told.The asset recovery team - comprising police, HM Revenue and Customs and Inland Revenue officials - followed a paper trail of 17 bank accounts and property transactions during the inquiry, the court was told.
'Great vigour''Great vigour'
Judge David Wynn Morgan said: "These defendants have a criminal lifestyle and I am making an order requiring them to pay a specific amount.Judge David Wynn Morgan said: "These defendants have a criminal lifestyle and I am making an order requiring them to pay a specific amount.
"If they don't pay within 12 months they face prison and significant quantities of interest on the money outstanding."If they don't pay within 12 months they face prison and significant quantities of interest on the money outstanding.
"It is sufficient incentive for them to complete payment.""It is sufficient incentive for them to complete payment."
After the case, Det Chief Ins Steve Tooby said: "It is not the intention to close down the restaurant where up to 20 people are employed.After the case, Det Chief Ins Steve Tooby said: "It is not the intention to close down the restaurant where up to 20 people are employed.
"But this sends a message that money laundering will not be tolerated and we will pursue investigations with great vigour.""But this sends a message that money laundering will not be tolerated and we will pursue investigations with great vigour."