Curtis Warren was pictured leaving court in black sunglasses and a hood after making a first appearance to face charges of breaching a Serious Crime Prevention Order.
The 60-year-old appeared at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court today accused of 11 counts of failing to comply with the order, said to have been committed following his release from prison in November last year. He was arrested by the National Crime Agency (NCA) in Boldon Colliery, South Tyneside, in July and charged in November.
He was asked to recite his name and date of birth before the charges were read to him. Anthony Barraclough, his long-time barrister, said no indication of a plea would be given at this stage. Warren, who was asked to remove his hands from his pockets as he stood in the dock, listened as the court clerk read the 11 charges against him. His address, given on the court list as a property in Widnes, Cheshire, was not read out in court.
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He left court with his face covered by a snood-type covering with the hood of a Nike zip-up jacket up. He was pictured chatting on a mobile phone wearing dark sunglasses. The charges allege he failed to notify the authorities of a change of communication device, of his use of credit cards, that he had set up a business, the true nature of that business and of his application for a passport. He is accused of breaching the order by having more than £1,000 in his possession and failing to declare his income, reports the Liverpool Echo.
He is also charged with breaches by failing to notify the authorities he had access to multiple vehicles, of his travel arrangements while out of the UK, that he was away from his home address for more than 24 hours and that he changed his home address. The charges faced by Warren, all under the umbrella of failing to comply with a Serious Crime Prevention Order, are as follows:
Paul Healey sent the case to Liverpool Crown Court. He said: “My view is it is too serious to be dealt with in the magistrates’ court so is going to be sent to Liverpool Crown Court for trial.”
Warren, once featured on the Sunday Times rich list, was bailed to appear at Liverpool Crown Court for a plea hearing on January 12.
William Turner is a seasoned U.K. correspondent with a deep understanding of domestic affairs. With a passion for British politics and culture, he provides insightful analysis and comprehensive coverage of events within the United Kingdom.
