Disgraced lawyer ordered back in court over money to be recovered

David Vaughan Jones, 79, of Leighton, Welshpool, admitted a total of 24 fraud and theft charges between 1994 and 2015, but had been given a chance by a judge to pay back the £1.495 million he owed.

However he never paid a penny and was jailed in May last year.

Jones appeared before Mold Crown Court yesterday for a proceeds of crime hearing, to see how how much of his criminal benefit could be confiscated.

However, due to an upcoming related high court hearing next week, the matter was adjourned to July 20.

James Davis, prosecuting, said the amount involved was £1,495,000, although one victim had obtained £98,384 following civil proceedings.

Jeremy Lasker, defending, said it was his client’s contention funds were available and he had been to the Channel Islands on five occasions to try to sort matters out.

During Friday's hearing, Judge Niclas Parry commented on how he hardly recognised Jones, a founder member of the Evangelical Church in Newtown who conned friends and churchgoers out of thousands.

The court heard how Jones had lost five stone in weight since his incarceration, and Judge Parry agreed a defence request that £200 a month could be paid from a restrained account for Jones' living expenses while in prison.

He also agreed the £1,300 expenses for selling the defendant’s home could be paid from a restrained account and ordered that the proceeds of the sale of his car could be paid into the account.

Since being jailed, Jones had been in HMP Berwyn in Wrexham where he had been teaching inmates Welsh.

But now he has been moved to Altcourse Prison in Liverpool where, until the POCA proceedings are over, it is not possible to re-categorize his status as a prisoner.

Mr Lasker said the defendant hoped the judge might have some influence over the situation.

The judge said that while the administration of a prison was always down to the governor, he could say if it assisted that he considered Jones was not a person who posed any risk.

Earlier hearings heard how Jones persuaded people to invest in off-shore accounts to generate a higher rate of interest than in the UK.

He was struck off as a lawyer before describing himself as a financial adviser, tax consultant and accountant - although he never qualified as such.

After admitting charges he was given a 'remarkable chance' by Judge Parry to pay money back, but despite claiming he would, no money was paid and he was jailed.