Dead drug dealer's assets taken

Patrick Fleming's house was seized in December 2004

The family of a murdered County Londonderry drug dealer has agreed to pay back assets worth £750,000.

The widow and mother-in-law of Patrick Fleming are to hand over a five-bedroom house, 35 acres of land, cash and a number of valuable paintings.

Mr Fleming, 40, of Macosquin, Coleraine, was under investigation by the Assets Recovery Agency (ARA) at the time of his murder in May 2006.

He was stabbed to death at flat in Coleraine.

A number of individuals are awaiting trial in connection with the killing.

The agency had alleged the majority of Mr Fleming's wealth was derived from drug dealing.

A Consent Order to recover his assets was granted by the High Court in Belfast following an agreement between the ARA and his widow and mother-in-law.

ARA deputy director Charlie Dickin said: "This is another excellent result and further demonstrates the agency's commitment to ensuring that crime doesn't pay.

"The minimum we will recover from this settlement is £750,000 and arrangements are already in hand to sell this substantial five bedroom property and land."

The assets to be handed over include:

A house at 11 Ballinrees Lane, Macosquin, Coleraine

Twenty-five acres of land adjoining the above house

Ten acres of land in Ballinrees Lane

£36,000 seized at the time of the initial searches

Eight framed paintings