'Thug's' mansion reduced in price

John Gizzi is serving a five-and-a-half year jail term

A mansion owned by a millionaire "thug" builder jailed for assaults on the homeless has been reduced in price to try to recover his assets.

John Gizzi, of St Asaph, Denbighshire, was jailed in January 2006.

A judge later ruled he must pay £2.6m under a Proceeds of Crime Order or have his five-and-a-half year sentence increased by eight years.

Bronwylfa Hall, a five-bedroomed country house, has now been reduced from £1.75m to £1.3m.

Gizzi, described by police as a "thug" and "bully" who preyed on the weak, admitted two assault charges as well as conspiracy to supply counterfeit cigarettes.

Criminal lifestyle

Mold Crown Court heard at the time Gizzi had evaded up to £750,000 in duty.

Gizzi also asked for 22 offences of mortgage fraud involving almost £1.5m, to be taken into consideration.

In March 2006, Judge John Rogers QC found Gizzi had benefited by £6.89m from his criminal lifestyle.

The realisable assets, including his mansion home and about 20 other properties, was estimated at £2.6m.

He was told he would have to repay the money within six months, or his jail sentence would be increased by eight years.

The valuations also included, among other items, Gizzi's £16,500 Rolex watch, and £45,000 for four personal number plates.

His Bentley Continental, which was bugged by police in the operation which led to his arrest, was valued at £116,000 and his Range Rover at £50,000.

After some assets failed to sell, including Bronwylfa Hall, a judge later granted an extension until March 2008 to allow him to raise the money.

The original confiscation order was based on Gizzi's recoverable assets at the time, and following the revaluation of Bronwylfa Hall, his legal team could return to court to ask for it to be reduced.