Receiver to sell 'thug's' assets

John Gizzi was jailed two and a half years ago

A receiver has been appointed to handle the financial affairs of a jailed Denbighshire gangster.

Millionaire builder John Damon Gizzi, 36, from St Asaph, called a "thug" by police, is serving five-and-a-half years for grievous bodily harm.

He will have to spend more time in prison if he fails to raise a total of£2.6m to pay off money he owes from his criminal activity.

A judge at Mold Crown Court appointed a receiver to sell his luxury home.

At his trial January 2006 Gizzi was also described as a "bully" who assaulted homeless people and preyed on the weak and vulnerable.

Gizzi was said by police to have "ruled" Rhyl through threats and intimidations.

'Tainted gifts'

He appeared in the dock at the court amid high security for the hearing on Thursday.

Prosecuting, Andrew Thomas QC alleged that "two tainted gifts" to the value of £750,000 had been made to J and T Gizzi Builders Ltd.

The company has appointed barrister Simon Killeen to fight the allegations and evidence will be heard by Judge John Rogers QC in Mold in December.

Gizzi's solicitor Huw Edwards told the court there was no objection to a receiver's order being made made.

He said assets have already been sold and handed over but there was still other unsold property, including Bronwylfa Hall at St Asaph and other items.

Criminal lifestyle

The receiver will also seek to sell two properties in Rhyl, three of his four personal number plates, Gizzi's Rolex watch and recover some cash, the court was told.

In March 2007, Judge Rogers found that Gizzi's criminal life style had netted him benefits totalling £6.89m.

He ruled that if Gizzi did not pay back the money, he would have to serve an additional eight years in jail.

The court heard Gizzi had agreed at an early stage that he would have to surrender all his assets.

Included in the original figures were £1.75m for Bronwylfa Hall, the proceeds from his other mortgaged properties, his £16,000 Rolex and £45,000 for his four personalised number plates .

The market price of the mansion has twice been reduced to its £900,000 tag by estate agents.

His Bentley Continental, which was bugged by police in an operation which led to his downfall, was valued at £116,000, his Range Rover at £50,000 and his Mercedes at £5,000.

If the sale price of the outstanding property does not meet the current order made under The Proceeds of Crime Act, Gizzi's lawyers will ask for the original order to be reduced.

The figures were reached following a specialist financial probe by the regional asset recovery team.

At the time the original order was made, police said it meant Gizzi would be penniless and homeless when released.

But they can still go after him for a further £4m if he makes any money in the following six years.