A salon owner who went back to his old ways as a drug dealer during lockdown has been ordered to pay back £58,000 of his ill-gotten gains.
Peter Greenhill had served prison sentences in the past for conspiring to supply cocaine and MDMA but turned his life around and was running three businesses in North Shields – a hairdressers and tanning and beauty salons. But, as we reported previously, when they were closed due to Covid in 2020, he resorted to illegal methods of making money.
Greenhill was last year jailed for ten years and has now been back before Newcastle Crown Court under the Proceeds of Crime Act. The court heard he benefited to the tune of £219,877 and has to pay back £58,853, which is the current available amount, comprising cash seized from him and some in a bank account.
Judge Tim Gittins told him: “You must pay that amount to the prosecution within the next three months. That will largely involve you signing consent for the money to be handed over.” He was told he faces nine months prison in default of payment. Should he come into more money in future, he would have to pay back more of the benefit figure.
His involvement in a large scale narcotics network was uncovered when French police infiltrated the EncroChat communications network, on which organised criminals believed they could conduct their unlawful enterprises with impunity. Messages showed he was engaged in multi-kilo deals of cocaine and amphetamine and was also involved in heroin supply.
Analysis showed he had been involved in deals for 1.8 kilos of cocaine, 85 kilos of amphetamine and half a kilo of heroin. Greenhill, 49, of Elmwood Park Court, Great Park, Newcastle, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply all three drugs.
Sentencing him last April, Judge Gittins said Greenhill had been involved in “wholesale quantities” of drugs between March and May 2000, as revealed in messages which he and other criminals “believed to be sacrosanct”.
He added: “They were high value products with profits to match. All while you were engaged in legitimate businesses, ostensibly, hairdressers and the like.
“This coincided with lockdown and the consequential financial difficulties that placed on many businesses. Many others engaged in furlough and other ways to minimise their financial outlay. You chose to resort to, return to, serious crime.
“You are well aware of the consequences of being caught engaged in this activity. You knew what you were getting involved in.
“You were dealing in misery in dealing in drugs. People whose lives are ruined by taking drugs or being affected by those who become addicted, either because of the addict’s behaviour or because they are committing crime on innocent people to fund it – that’s why sentences will usually, as here, be condign.”
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The court heard he had been jailed for 102 months in 2012 for conspiring to supply cocaine and MDMA and for three years in 2007 for the same offence. He was also jailed for two years in 1996 for being concerned in the supply of drugs.
Tony Davis, defending, said: “He had turned a corner and was running a hair business and tanning studio and they were providing a substantial income. Lockdown put paid to that.
“Feeling and fearing there was no way out, he fell into old ways. It’s clear there were significant others above him who were closer to the source.
“It’s a matter of significant regret, having reached his age, with family commitments, having to face a custodial sentence.”
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