A bike stolen from a serviceman using it to help his recovery from a war injury was found hidden in the home of a Nottinghamshire drug dealer.
Police searched the home of Mark Bingham in Warwick Road, Balderton, in 2014 as part of an investigation into his involvement in amphetamine.
They found a quantity of the drug along with the bike and arrested Bingham.
He was later given a suspended 15-month prison sentence after he admitted being in possession of controlled drugs with intent to supply.
The full story of the mountain bike emerged after officers began using the Proceeds of Crime Act to seize some of Bingham’s cash and belongings.
Nottingham Crown Court was told the bike turned out to belong to an unnamed former serviceman who was severely injured in Afghanistan while on active duty, and had reported the bike stolen from his shed.
It had been donated to him by the Help for Heroes charity to help in his rehabilitation. It has now been returned to him.
Speaking after a confiscation order was issued for some of Bingham’s cash and belongings, Det Sgt Jamie Bennett of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “This case sends out a strong message to any would-be criminals seeking to live lavish lifestyles that we can take it away from them when they are caught.
“Once a criminal conviction is secured, this is the green light for our Financial Investigators to use the Proceeds of Crime Act to remove any and all benefit from any criminality identified. Any proceeds confiscated can then be reinvested into future investigations.”
Bingham, 48, was sentenced to 15 months in prison, suspended for 12 months after admitting being in possession of controlled drugs with intent to supply and being in possession of controlled drugs, when he appeared at Nottingham Crown Court on November 20 last year.
Besides the stolen bike and amphetamine, cash, a mobile phone and glucose – a bulking agent used in drugs – were also found in the 2014 search.
The court later ruled that Bingham had benefited from £15,000 through his illegal actions and that £10,000 of this was available to be recovered.
He was ordered to pay up by November 25, 2016. Police can seek to recover the remaining £5,000 if Bingham builds up further funds or assets in the future.
