Money launderer and ex-solicitor, Dale Robert Walker (64), has fully satisfied his confiscation order after being sentenced to 62 days’ imprisonment for previously failing to pay his order, the UK's Financial Conduct Authority said in a statement on 15 March. 

The FCA prosecuted Walker in April 2015 and he was convicted of aiding and abetting the carrying on of an unauthorised regulated activity in the UK without authorisation or exemption; and money laundering by possessing criminal property

Walker was sentenced to five and a half years’ imprisonment.

From 2008 to 2011, Walker helped to source land and undertook conveyancing, registration and consultancy services for plots of land being sold as part of an unauthorised collective investment scheme.

This scheme ultimately defrauded consumers of over £4.25m; on occasions Walker even received monies from investors into his solicitor’s client account.

In February 2017, a confiscation order was made to deprive Mr Walker of over £887,000 of criminal proceeds. This was later varied to £716,719.

The judge warned Walker that he could serve up to three and a half years in prison if he failed to pay.

In May 2023, Walker unsuccessfully tried to argue that he had no more assets or monies to pay the amount outstanding at that time of £38,750.

Although Walker did pay some further monies by instalment, on 23 February 2024, he was sentenced to 62 days in prison by City of London Magistrates’ Court for wilful and neglectful failure to pay the remaining £33,500.

On 29 February 2024, these monies were finally paid on behalf of Walker by a family member.

Steve Smart, joint executive director of enforcement and market oversight, Financial Conduct Authority said: “Confiscation proceedings are a key tool in our work to ensure those who use their professional position to take advantage of others do not succeed in their criminal efforts at self-enrichment.

“We welcome the court’s decision to impose a further custodial sentence on Mr Walker sending a clear message that non-payment is a serious matter and that the courts will use all appropriate tools to enforce these orders. It’s clear that this did finally persuade Mr Walker to find the means to pay.”

Walker’s sentence of 62 days reflects a reduction from the original three and a half years due to the amount of monies already paid.