AN Ulverston woman convicted for drugs offences has been ordered to pay just under £20,000 or face nine months in prison.

During a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing, 54-year-old Claire Potts was found to have benefitted from her criminality to the tune of £19,999.91. She has three months to repay the money to avoid jail.

Potts was handed a suspended jail sentence along with of 220 hours of unpaid work and a curfew in March 2016 for possessing drugs with intent to supply. It was after this sentencing that Cumbria Constabulary launched a Proceeds of Crime Act investigation.

The hearing was held on Friday (January 13) at Barrow-in-Furness Crown Court.

Detective Constable Cheryl Smith said: “This case should make people think twice before getting involved in crime as a way to make money. Although Potts received a suspended prison sentence back in March 2016, under the Proceeds of Crime Act, if she does not pay £19991.91 within the three month period ordered by the court she will go to prison for nine months.

“A police investigation isn’t over when criminals are sentenced in court. We continue to tackle criminals and work hard to reclaim the money that they have gained from their crimes in order give it back to their victims or the community they’ve affected.

“Crime doesn’t pay, and police will continue to work very closely with partner agencies to ensure that criminals are targeted and any financial gain they make as a result of their crimes is seized.”