Human trafficker ordered to pay £45,000 as proceeds of crime

Stephen Craig, 35, from Glasgow, was sentenced to 40 months in October, last year, after pleading guilty to trafficking for the purposes of sexual exploitation.

His co-accused, Sarah Beukan, 22, was jailed for a year and a half.

An order to pay £45,000 was made against him at Glasgow Sheriff Court today, under proceeds of crime laws.

Lindsey Miller, head of the Serious and Organised Crime Division (SOCD) at the Crown Office, said: “Stephen Craig took part in a criminal prostitution operation that spanned the United Kingdom.

“His conviction, along with that of his co-accused Ashleigh Beukan in September last year, was a landmark case for human trafficking in Scotland.

“By virtue of this conviction, Stephen Craig was deemed to have committed a lifestyle offence under the Proceeds of Crime Act. This meant we could ask forensic accountants to look at all of his income during the six years leading up to his arrest who calculated he benefited to the sum of £236,651 in that period.

“Today’s confiscation order for £45,000 represents the full amount which is available to us at this time from Stephen Craig.

“We will continue to do all in our power to disrupt those who traffic and trade in human beings for profit, by depriving them of their ill-gotten gains and preventing them from re-investing in further criminal activities.”

Detective Inspector David Perrit of Strathclyde Police Major Crime and Terrorism Investigation Unit added: “Strathclyde Police will continue to use the Proceeds of Crime Act to pursue anyone who makes money from criminal behaviour as this legislation is one of the most effective ways of disrupting organised crime.

“Today’s confiscation order sends a strong message that crime does not pay and clearly shows those who think they can make money from their criminal activities that the law will catch up with them.”