Organised crime charge against Merseyside man dropped

First person to have the charge brought against them

A Merseyside man accused of being part of a criminal organisation has seen the allegation dropped.

Thirty-three-year-old James Spotswood, of Townsend Street in Wirral, appeared at Douglas Courthouse.

He pleaded guilty to two charges of conspiracy over a scheme to remove more than £34,000 in cash from the Island between January and September.

However prosecution advocate Hazel Carroon withdrew a further allegation of participating in a criminal organisation.

Spotswood had been the first person ever to be charged with the offence under the Organised and International Crime Act 2010.

But Mrs Carroon told the court she was satisfied to proceed with the two conspiracy charges given Spotswood's guilty pleas.

High Bailiff Jayne Hughes said the case was too serious to be dealt with in the summary court.

She declined jurisdiction and Spotswood was committed for sentencing in a Court of General Gaol Delivery.