Former crime boss ‘unable to afford’ £50,000 debt

FORMER gangster Terry Adams cannot afford to pay nearly £50,000 to the Crown, a court has heard.

Adams, the ex-boss of the Clerkenwell syndicate also known as the Adams Family, appeared at Westminster magistrates’ court with Ruth, his actress wife, yesterday. The 63-year-old’s legal representative argued the debt should be written off as the order was made more than a decade ago, in 2007.

A separate confiscation order of £750,000 made at the same time was settled by an extended family member last year, the court heard. Stephen Gilchrist, for Adams, told the court: “This is the first time Mr Adams has been called to court for non-payment of the costs order 11 years after it was made.

“At some point this has got to come to an end and, in my submission, this is the end. He hasn’t got the money. He can’t afford to pay the costs. I would like the court to put this off for the crown court’s view as to whether this order should be pursued or not.”

The matter of the non-payment of a fine of £46,258 was adjourned until Nov 7. Adams, of Bloomsbury, central London, was given seven years for money laundering in 2007.