Seize family’s ill-gotten gains

11:18am Wednesday 19th March 2008

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THE sentence handed out to the Hudson family who conned hundreds of vulnerable people by selling bogus damp-proofing is to be welcomed.

Nigel Hudson, 49, master-minded a massive scam where pensioners from across East Lancashire and the rest of the country were pressured into paying for worthless work on their homes.

His wife, Sarah, 26, and son Mark, 21, were also involved in the huge operation, which generated a staggering £3million.

Yesterday the trio, are all from Clitheroe, were jailed for a total of 15 years at Preston Crown Court.

The Telegraph runs stories about criminals conning people out of cash every week.

It is one of the most deplorable crimes, as it involves deliberate targeting of a community's most vulnerable residents.

This damp-proofing scam was one of the most extensive and police are to be applauded for bringing those responsible to justice.

The court also deserves credit for showing that those who commit these types of crimes will be hit with tough sentences.

The Hudsons now face a proceeds of crime hearing where their ill-gotten gains will probably be seized from them.

Let's hope that it is successful.