Somerset con couple ordered to pay back £800,000 (From Bridgwater Mercury)

Somerset con couple ordered to pay back £800,000

11:20am Wednesday 1st February 2012 in News By Michael Marsh

A HUSBAND and wife who were jailed after conning vulnerable people out of £1.9million have been ordered to pay back more than £800,000.

Dennis and Bianca McGinley, of the Taunton travelling community, pleaded guilty to a conspiracy to defraud in April, 2010.

The couple targeted four victims, including an elderly Somerset man who was left bankrupt.

Dennis was jailed for eight years and his wife for three years.

At Leeds Crown Court on Monday (January 30), Dennis was ordered to pay back £787,480 while Bianca was told to return £29,315.

If the pair fail to pay up they have been warned they will face further time in prison.

The court also awarded compensation of £46,600 to the Somerset victim after he lost almost £80,000.

DC Rebecca Maddison, who led the Avon and Somerset investigation, said: “We’re pleased. The Somerset victim was drawn into the scam after the offenders claimed to be rogue trader debt collectors.”