Three brothers who used violence against Derbyshire business owners ordered to repay more than £500,000

Three brothers who intimidated and used violence against business owners in Derbyshire have been ordered to pay back more than £500,000.
David Lowther.David Lowther.
David Lowther.

The Lowther brothers - David, Luke and John - were behind a six-year terror campaign to extort money from businesses in Derbyshire.

Between January 2010 and January 2016, the trio used verbal threats and physical violence to blackmail six people. The brothers stole a vehicle and tools, and damaged property for bargaining power and forced their victims to pay them ‘protection’ money to guard against further thefts.

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David Lowther is currently serving a nine-year jail term after admitting conspiracy to commit blackmail, perverting the course of justice, intimidation and trying to conceal criminal money. The judge said in April 2017 the 37-year-old 'played a leading role and was the most active'.

John Lowther.John Lowther.
John Lowther.

While John, 40 and Luke, 35, were both jailed for eight years after admitting blackmail and several other charges. All three brothers used to live in the Forest Fields, Aspley and Bulwell areas of Nottingham.

Alongside the criminal investigation the East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU) Criminal Finances Team began dissecting the finances of the brothers, and looking into the purchase and sale of property and land.

A case was presented under the Proceeds of Crime Act stating that the brothers had benefitted by £685,311.31, but the brothers contested the amount, only accepting owing a fraction of the amount - £15,000 in total.

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After a week-long hearing at Nottingham Crown Court, on Friday the judge granted the proceeds of crime order, accepting that David benefitted from £248,869.41, Luke from £172,722.50 and John from £263,719.40, all totalling £552,502.

Luke Lowther.Luke Lowther.
Luke Lowther.

Lynn Naylor, Criminal Finances Team, EMSOU, said: “The Lowther brothers bankrolled their lifestyles through intimidation tactics and physical violence, but today the victims were given their final piece of justice.

“The Lowther brothers used intimidation and violence to take money from their victims, following today’s orders, these victims will now be compensated.

“Our team of accredited financial investigators identify serious and organised offenders who have made significant ill-gotten gains from criminality and do all within their powers to remove the benefits of their crimes.”