Sentence date set for Barnsley man who tried to smuggle criminal cash 

31-year-old has bail application refused

A Barnsley man will be sentenced later this month after admitting trying to smuggle almost £50,000 in criminal cash off the Isle of Man.

Sam Kenneth Leigh, of Worsbrough, made his first appearance at the Court of General Gaol Delivery today where he was told he’ll be sentenced on 31 October.

The 31-year-old was stopped at the Sea Terminal in Douglas, at 7pm on 25 September, as part of Operation Strongbox.

Leigh told police he was on-Island visiting friends but checks revealed the people didn’t exist – officers searched his vehicle and found £47,970 hidden under the rear passenger seat.

They also found another secret ‘hide’ which was empty.

An application for bail was opposed by the prosecutor who argued that Leigh had attempted to mislead the police saying: “Frankly the only reason he was here was to collect criminal property.”

He said the vehicle Leigh had travelled in was ‘sophisticated’ adding: “He’s lost someone, perhaps further up the chain, a substantial amount of money.”

Leigh’s advocate argued that the commercial director was, ordinarily, a man of good character concluding: “The reason this offence has been committed is unclear to me.”

Deemster Graeme Cook refused bail and Leigh was remanded at the Isle of Man Prison until his sentencing hearing.