Drug baron ordered to cough up (From Warrington Guardian)

Drug baron ordered to cough up

A DRUG baron serving more than 10 years in prison has been ordered to pay more than £8,000 to compensate for his crimes.

Warrington Crown Court heard that Jason Dickson, aged 24, of Palacefields had made more than £70,000 from criminal conduct.

Judge David Hale said that a figure of £8,300, based on Dickson's assets, should be paid within three months.

Dickson was jailed for drug offences and possessing a sawn-off shotgun back in August, after being one of three men who admitted to dealing class A drugs in Halton.

John Maddock, aged 38, of Stocksdale Drive in Great Sankey, was jailed for eight years, and Christopher Rathbone, aged 30, of Sovereign Close in Runcorn, received a three years and nine months for a peripheral role in the operation.

The trio were arrested following a surveillance operation by police.

Maddock and Rathbone also appeared at Warrington Crown Court on Friday, but their proceeds of crime applications were not concluded. Their cases will both be dealt with in the New Year.