A MAN who fled to Spain after a robbery at a Pendle superrmarket where a security guard was attacked with a machete has been ordered to pay back over £10,000.
Stephen Devalda (28), of Stanton Avenue, Salford, is currently serving a prison sentence of 10 years three months after admitting conspiracy to rob.
On Monday, May 23rd, 2005 two security guards were collecting cash from Asda, Colne, when they were approached by two men armed with a machete and an imitation handgun.
One of the guards was attacked and hit around the head and body with a machete and the other was forced to hand over £25,000 when threats were made to kill his colleague. They sped off on a motorcycle before escaping in a waiting get away car.
Devalda was arrested and charged in July, 2007 after analysis of his mobile phone records linked him to the robbery. He appeared in court and was given conditional bail but fled to Spain. He was arrested in March, 2011 in Malaga, following a joint operation between the Serious Organised Crime Agency and Spanish Police.
In July, 2011, he appeared at Preston Crown Court where he admitted conspiracy to rob on the basis he was not present during the robbery but provided a motorbike used as a getaway vehicle.
A hearing at Preston Crown Court on Friday accepted he had benefited from his criminal conduct to the value of £31,150 and he was ordered to pay back £10,097.91 within six months or face a further seven months in prison and still owe the money on his release.
Financial Investigator Tony Morris said: “This should demonstrate the lengths Lancashire Constabulary will go to to make offenders pay for their crimes.
“The Proceeds of Crime Act is one of many tools we are using to come down hard on offenders by giving police powers to strip criminals of assets acquired through crime - preventing them from enjoying a life of luxury upon their release from prison.”