THE wife of a notorious East Lancashire scrapyard boss has been declared bankrupt, according to an official public record.

Hyndburn Council filed a bankruptcy petition as a creditor in the County Court at Burnley against Mary Louise Smith on February 19.

According to The Gazette, a bankruptcy order was made against Smith, of The Oaks, Meadow Street, Great Harwood, on April 6.

At Companies House, Smith was listed as a director of HOTDOG TOM COMMERCIALS LTD, having been appointed in January 2019, under the occupation of HGV driver. That company, listed as active and with a registered office at The Hay Store, Meadow Street, Great Harwood, sells used cars and light vehicles.

Smith was disqualified as being a director at Preston Crown Court for 10 years on August 28 last year, after being convicted and jailed for 15 months after admitting conspiracy to steal and money laundering..

That related to her role in an organised crime gang – headed by her husband Tommy Smith – which stole £1million of goods.

The court heard how charges had been brought against the crime gang as a result of ‘long and complex’ police operations named Hewton, Runback and Redmill, carried out between 2016 and 2018.

Prosecuting, Mark Monaghan said the case primarily concerned stolen goods in the form of cars and machinery that went through the hands of Tommy Smith and, to a lesser degree, his wife, their associates and employees.

He said: “The first police operation centred around the search of the TH Smith & Sons scrapyard in Great Harwood in January 2016 and the discovery of parts from 54 separate stolen cars, vans and other machinery.

“The second operation relates to a large amount of stolen plant and machinery that was put through online auctions and bought by innocent purchasers via a company called GHM Ltd.

“The third part relates to a series of thefts and handling between late 2017 and June 2018.”

The court later heard that proceeds from their criminal activities were shifted in and out of bank accounts, with large sums of cash being withdrawn at times.

Tommy and Mary Smith also used money made from their crimes to go on spending sprees, on one occasion splashing £3,000 in London department store Harrods, prosecutors say.

Mary, Tommy and other members of the gang were due to face a proceeds of crime hearing tomorrow before Judge Simon Newell but that is to be re-listed.