Eight-year NCA investigation results in multi-million pound asset recovery including luxury hotel and £100k Bentley in Romsey
More than £6 million worth of assets, including an award-winning luxury hotel and a £100,000 Bentley, have been seized from alleged members of an international money laundering ring, following a long-running investigation by the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA).
The assets were recovered from three defendants — including a prominent barrister — and several associated companies as part of a complex eight-year civil recovery investigation into 66-year-old businessman Jonathan Nuttall, of Romsey, Hampshire.
Rather than face a 15-day court trial, the parties agreed to hand over the assets under consent orders approved by the High Court.
Global Network Uncovered
The NCA’s investigation uncovered a vast money laundering operation, with hundreds of millions of pounds being moved through more than 100 bank accounts across the globe, including locations such as Russia, Hong Kong, Switzerland, Austria, the United States, Croatia, Seychelles, and the British Virgin Islands.
Nuttall first came under scrutiny during an earlier NCA probe involving convicted drug trafficker Emir Azam, where millions in assets were seized. Investigators later discovered that Nuttall had structured his wealth to be hidden under the names of his wife, Amanda Nuttall, and other associates, effectively shielding his own involvement.
Despite her claims, Mrs Nuttall, 45, who won more than £2.5 million in the National Lottery in 2008, was unable to give a clear explanation for how the winnings were spent, further raising suspicions.
The couple had been living a lavish lifestyle, renting a Belgravia flat for £2,000 a week, shopping at luxury stores such as Harrods, holidaying in Cannes and Dubai, and building a swimming pool at their countryside home.
High-Profile Figures Involved
Among those surrendering assets is 55-year-old barrister Timothy Becker, who had practiced law for nearly three decades, and a high-profile property developer, previously described in the media as one of the country’s most successful entrepreneurs. The €100,000 Bentley Mulsanne was registered in Becker’s name.
In total, eleven properties will be forfeited to the NCA, including the White Horse Hotel and Brasserie in Romsey and multiple prime-location properties in London.
Investigators Praise Landmark Outcome
NCA investigators reviewed more than 100,000 financial transactions to piece together the illicit network. The High Court Judge, Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb DBE, praised the NCA’s work, calling the investigation “exemplary.”
Andy Lewis, Head of Asset Denial at the NCA, said:
“Jonathan Nuttall amassed considerable wealth as a result of unlawful conduct. He deliberately structured his business affairs to avoid detection, but this outcome proves that crime does not pay.”
“Recovering assets obtained through criminal means is a key priority for the NCA. We are pleased this complex case has resulted in a successful settlement.”
Graeme Biggar, Director General of the National Economic Crime Centre (NECC), added:
“Professional enablers such as barristers play a pivotal role in facilitating the movement and concealment of criminal finance. This result forms part of the UK’s continuing response to illicit finance and our determination to relentlessly pursue criminal wealth.”
International Links
Two former directors of one of the companies involved — Sandro Slipancic and Igor Nrota — are currently under investigation in Croatia for alleged financial irregularities at Dinamo Zagreb Football Club, suggesting wider implications of the laundering network across Europe.
The case marks another landmark achievement in the UK’s fight against international economic crime, reinforcing the government’s commitment to dismantling complex criminal finance networks, regardless of how long investigations take or how carefully illicit assets are concealed
