Pair to pay thousands in compensation
Two members of a gang who targeted vulnerable men for forced labour through violence and intimidation were ordered to pay more than £13,000 compensation to victims as their crime profits were seized.
Robert McPhee, 67, and his son-in-law John Miller, 40, were jailed in 2018 along with two of McPhee’s sons, James and Steven, then aged 45 and 37, following a trial at the High Court in Glasgow.
McPhee was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment and Miller was jailed for seven years which was later reduced to six on appeal.
The gang preyed on vulnerable individuals, often from troubled backgrounds, who worked marathon shifts for little or no pay including at a piggery in Shotts.
The catalogue of crimes committed by the group included abductions, assaults and holding workers against their will in the years leading up to 2016.
One victim told their trial that he was “battered” and taught a lesson when he tried to get away. Another claimed he was “owned” by the family who ran businesses laying slabs, monoblocking and tree cutting.
Family members stayed at traveller sites in West Lothian and South Lanarkshire and also had a base at Shotts piggery.
Following their convictions the Crown has pursued proceeds of crime actions against McPhee and Miller which were due to go to a three day evidential hearing at the High Court in Edinburgh this week.
But both men settled the actions with confiscation orders being made against them.
Mark Moir, counsel for Robert McPhee, told Lord Glennie: “I am happy to advise the court settlement has been agreed.”
He said McPhee’s benefit from crime was to be recorded at £29,362 with the amount available for confiscation standing at £14,195.
Mr Moir said that in McPhee’s case a static caravan required to be realised which might take some time.
Stephen O’Rourke QC, for Miller, said that in his case the benefit from crime was £190,045 and £90,014 was available for a confiscation order.
He said the principle asset was the piggery.
From Miller’s confiscation £1598 will be paid as compensation to one man and from McPhee’s £11,935 will go to another man under a compensation order.
Onevictim told their trial that he was ‘battered’ and taught a lesson whenhetriedto get away