THE wife of a drugs kingpin, who ran a £100 million international plot that saw one of the largest police seizures of cocaine the country has seen, has been ordered to pay back a small fraction of her ill-gotten gains.
Diane Brookhouse, previously of Coronation Avenue, Grappenhall, has been ordered to pay back £1,090 of the £75,000 figure she is believed to have enjoyed by helping to run her husband's drugs ring.
The 44-year-old appeared by video link at Warrington Crown Court today, Tuesday, but spoke only confirm her name and that she could hear.
The court heard how a figure had been agreed between the Crown Prosecution Service and her legal team after discussions started yesterday, Monday.
Pictured: Richard and Diane Brookhouse
Martin Read, prosecuting, said: "The figure was substantially higher but we received correspondence and further statements were received from Diane Brookhouse in short accepting the facts of the conspiracy and that she was drip-fed money by her husband."
Diane had previously denied her involvement with the case going to trial but she was later found guilty by the jury.
The money must be paid within three months, Judge Nicholas Woodward ruled.
A Chloe handbag and a watch has been seized and will be sold to pay back the money owed.
Diane Brookhouse was convicted of conspiring to supply cocaine, methylmethcathinone and diamorphine between May 15, 2012 and April 7, 2013.
The mum-of-two was sentenced to 14 years in prison on February 7, 2014.
Her husband, Richard Brookhouse, was sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to the drugs charges.
The group were arrested as part of Operation Redbank which focused its attention on the activity of Richard Brookhouse who was a serving prisoner at HMP Kirkham at the time in 2012.
He was serving a 22 year prison sentence after admitting his role in 2003 to a drugs importation plot.
Richard Brookhouse was on day release as part of his rehabilitation plan but during this time he was meeting with known drug dealers, members of organised crime gangs and high profile criminals he met in prison.
Pictured: Culprits sentenced for their part in drugs ring
Richard Brookhouse assisted by his wife Diane Brookhouse travelled around the north west to carry out these meetings.
On April 6, 2012, two drugs couriers were stopped in Essex as part of their role in the drugs plot.
They were found with 78kg of cocaine and 2kg of heroine which they had smuggled into the country under the false pretences that they had travelled to France on a fishing trip.
The drugs had a street value of £15m.
Following the seizure all the main culprits in the gang were arrested and it was revealed that group had been involved in seven importations of drugs to the UK.
A total of 23 people were convicted as part of their involvement in the drugs plot.
Discussions are ongoing into others involved - including Richard Brookhouse - about how much they will have to pay back at part of the Proceeds of Crime Act.
These figures are expected to be agreed in the next three weeks.
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