Crown pursues former Lochaber hotel owner under proceeds of crime act

A FORMER Lochaber hotel owner who failed to have his three-year jail sentence for human trafficking overturned is now being pursued by the Crown for confiscation of money.

Shamsul Arefin from Bangladesh was convicted of bringing four victims to the Stewart Hotel in Duror, which he then owned, with the intent to exploit them. Arefin was found guilty by a majority verdict following a five- day trial in Fort William Sheriff Court in July 2015.

The 47-year- old appealed but failed to have his conviction overturned earlier this year. It is now understood the Crown is pursuing a confiscation order under the Proceeds of Crime Act but as the case is still ongoing exact details of the order cannot be disclosed.

Iain Campbell, Senior Communications Officer with the Crown office and Procurator Fiscal Service, told The Oban Times: ‘ We’re not in a position to provide any information on the case at present as it is still live and the figures remain under debate.’

Arefin’s case is next due to be heard on August 16.