A salon owner who turned to drug dealing during lockdown must repay £58,000 from his £219,000 profits
North Shields: A salon owner found himself in hot water after going back to drug dealing during the lockdown. Peter Greenhill has been ordered to pay back £58,000 from the £219,000 he made through illegal activities.
He had a rough past, serving time for dealing cocaine and MDMA. But he seemed to have turned his life around, running three businesses in North Shields, including a hair salon. However, when Covid hit and his shops closed, he fell back into his old ways.
Last year, he was sentenced to ten years in prison and recently appeared in Newcastle Crown Court under the Proceeds of Crime Act. The court revealed he benefited significantly from his drug dealings and now has to pay back a portion of that money.
Judge Tim Gittins made it clear that Greenhill must pay the amount within three months or face nine months in prison. If he comes into more money later, he’ll have to pay back even more.
His drug dealings were uncovered when French police hacked into a communications network used by criminals. They found messages showing he was involved in large-scale deals of cocaine, amphetamines, and heroin.
Greenhill, 49, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply all three drugs. The judge pointed out that he was dealing in high-value products while pretending to run legitimate businesses.
During the lockdown, many businesses struggled, but instead of finding a legal way to cope, he chose to return to serious crime. The judge emphasized the harm caused by drug dealing, affecting countless lives.
Greenhill has a history of drug-related offenses, having been jailed multiple times before. His defense attorney mentioned that he had been doing well until the pandemic hit, which led him to make poor choices again.
In the end, it’s a tough lesson for him, especially at his age and with family responsibilities. The court’s decision serves as a reminder of the serious consequences of getting involved in drugs.
