Fraudster to pay back £650k

John Hirst, formerly of Dewsbury and Mirfield, funded a lavish lifestyle with the money he gained through a £10m scam.

Hirst, 63, of Huddersfield Road, Brighouse, was jailed for nine years in September 2012 for conspiracy to defraud and money laundering.

Bradford Crown Court heard on Tuesday that Serious Fraud Office investigations had established an agreed benefit figure for Hirst of £4,717,042.

Hirst was said to have available assets of £650,522.94, which must be paid to his victims within six months under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Failure to pay could result in a four year prison term.