‘Career criminal’ roped in both his friend and lover in business of selling fake Rolex watches
A “CAREER criminal” roped in his friend and girlfriend to help him with his fraudulent business selling fake Rolex watches.
Cardiff Crown Court heard Layton Spinks was the ringleader who got his friend, Jamie Hewings, to help sell a watch and his then-partner, Kelly Stuart, to launder money.
Judge Neil Bidder QC said Spinks was the “prime mover” in the case.
The court heard the offending dated back more than two years and Nuhu Gobir, prosecuting, said: “I have tried to get to the bottom of the delay.”
Judge Bidder said the delay was “disgraceful” and observed the defendants’ lives had moved on.
Prosecutors said complainant Solake Muhsin saw a Rolex Submariner watch advertised on Gumtree for £3,800 in November 2015.
He arranged to meet the seller at a pawn shop in Canton, Cardiff, and Spinks and Hewings turned up. He noticed Hewings appeared “nervous”.
The court heard the watch was examined and found to be fake and Mr Muhsin lost £3,800.
Spinks, 34, from Burnham Avenue in Llanrumney, who was described as the “ringleader”, was jailed in 2016 and is now out of prison.
Mr Gobir said he was a “career criminal” who had previous convictions including for theft, burglary, and handling stolen goods.
Hewings, 32, also from Burnham Avenue, admitted fraud. Prosecutors said he had been before the courts for 20 previous offences.
He was given a suspended sentence in September 2015 for fraud by false representation. Judge Bidder noted the new offence was committed just two months later.
The judge said the suspended sentence would have been activated, were it not for the delays, but it would now be “wholly unjust” to do so.
Matthew Roberts, mitigating, said his client has a partner and two children and works as an asbestos remover.
He added: “This is a man who has very much moved on.”
Hewings was given a 15-week jail term, suspended for a year. He must pay £3,800 in compensation and £500 towards prosecution costs.
Prosecutors said Stuart allowed her bank account to be used in connection with a fraud. Judge Bidder noted she would have been aware of Spinks’ previous convictions.
Kelly Stuart, 37, of Burnham Avenue, admitted money laundering. She had two cautions but no previous convictions.
The court heard she used to be in a relationship with Spinks but they are no longer together.
Probation officer Robert Newton told the court she used to work in hair and beauty and is now a fulltime mother to four children.
Judge Bidder found she had limited involvement under direction. Stuart was given a 12-month conditional discharge.