The appellant was involved in a nightclub in Sunderland. In February 1996, the appellant was charged with permitting the nightclub premises to be used for supplying controlled drugs. He failed to attend his trial, and absconded to Northern Cyprus in 1997.

Whilst in Northern Cyprus, the appellant had various business interests. In July 2005, the appellant attempted to transfer approximately £1.5 million from his bank account in Northern Cyprus to an account he held in Thailand. The payment was routed via London and was intercepted by UK law enforcement. In January 2009, the appellant was arrested in Northern Cyprus and returned to the UK. On 22 July 2010, he pleaded guilty to various counts of permitting the nightclub to be used for supplying controlled drugs and was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment.

In 2011, the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) commenced proceedings against the appellant, seeking a civil