A church formerly based in Barking and the landlord of the property it rented, have been ordered to pay a combined confiscation order of £196, 250.59 in contravention of a planning enforcement notice issued by Barking and Dagenham Council.

 

At a hearing at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Monday 18 February, both defendants were sentenced to confiscation orders under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

 

Seventy four-year old Milap Singh Padda of 23 Barleycorn Way, Hornchurch, RM11 3JJ, received a confiscation order of £104,986.29 and a 9-months- prison sentence in default if he fails to pay. He was also fined £4000 plus costs of £3507.33 (and a £170 victim surcharge).

 

While the church, Mountain of Fire and Miracles International (MFM), 21 Queensway, Enfield, EN3 4FR received a confiscation order of £91,264.30 to be paid within 3 months with a fine of £4000 and costs of £3507.33 (plus £170 victim surcharge)

"The message from us is loud and clear – if you choose not to play by the rules, we will use all the powers available to us to find you, investigate you and where we find against you - we will prosecute"

Councillor Margaret Mullane, Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety, welcomed the judgement and praised the persistence of the council officers in securing this outcome.

 

Cllr Mullane said: “This is a culmination of six years work and a lot of effort on the part of our officers.

 

“The message from us is loud and clear – if you choose not to play by the rules, we will use all the powers available to us to find you, investigate you and where we find against you - we will prosecute.”

 

The confiscation order is made under The Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and reflects the criminal benefit in the case. Padda was deprived of the rental income he had got from both MFM and other churches he allowed to use the building for over three years in contravention of the notice. 

 

MFM were confiscated to the figure they had benefitted from operating from the venue as a place of worship for over three years in contravention of the planning enforcement notice. The judge found that both defendants had sufficient assets with which to pay this order.