COUPLE who were part of a multi-million pound scam operating from HBOS in Reading have been ordered to repay £10million.

Husband and wife David Mills, 62, and Alison Mills, 54, of Moreton-in-Marsh, are serving prison sentences for being part of the huge scam, which became one of the biggest investigations that Thames Valley Police has launched.

Among the assests are a £2.5m mansion in the Cotswolds, a superyacht and a wine collection worth £100,000.

They have been ordered to pay back the money or face another ten years in jail.

READ THE FULL STORY: Major fraud ring run from HOBS office in Reading cracked

The couple were convicted alongside four others in 2017 for their roles in fraudulent trading, corrupting banking officials and money laundering.

It was found that the crooks used the £250million stolen form the bank to rent yachts, villas and more.

They had been sentenced to a total of more than 18 years' imprisonment following Operation Hornet, the six year investigation which uncovered their illicit activities.

The group defrauded struggling businesses out of huge sums of money to fund a lavish criminal lifestyle.

Their gain through criminal activity was valued at more than £69million.

The confiscation order was made at Southwark Crown Court yesterday (September 12), where the two were ordered to repay money and assets valued at £10,451,949.54 - which will include the seizure of luxury yachts and holiday properties.

If the sums aren't paid back within the next three months, they will each face additional prison terms of ten years (David) and nine years (Alison) added to their current sentences.

The pairs identified assets included:

  • Todenham House - £2.5 million
  • Wine collection - £100 thousand
  • UK Property portfolio - in excess of £1.2miilion
  • Foreign Properties in excess £1 million
  • Yacht (Powder monkey) - £75 thousand
  • Share portfolio in region of £1million
  • Pensions - £1.3 million
  • Company assets - £1.5 million

Between 2003 and 2007, David Mills, who described himself as a turn-around consultant, fronted a company that provided assistance to businesses that were in financial difficulty who had been referred to him by Lloyds Bank.

As well as the bank referral fees, Mills levied hefty charges for services along with the others found guilty of the fraud in the case.

Instead of offering genuine assistance, they seized control of the failing firms and drained them of their assets, which were utilised by them to provide a lavish lifestyle.

Their gain was valued at £69,455,667.29.

Deputy chief constable Jason Hogg of Thames Valley Police, said: "I am incredibly pleased that these criminals continue to be confronted with measures to seize the gains from their substantial fraudulent activities to help guarantee they are appropriately punished.

"This group defrauded struggling businesses and gained significant sums of money, and lived a luxury lifestyle as a result of their fraudulent ways.

"It is vitally important that we use methods like this to ensure

they are completely stripped of any remaining gains."

Detective Inspector Tom Bradshaw, from SEROCU's Economic Crime Capability, said: "We have a dedicated team of financial investigators who work tirelessly tackling criminals and their illegal profits.

"By continuing to target their assets we are ensuring that, not only are the offenders facing significant jail terms, but even when released they will not see the rewards of their criminal activity, which defrauded struggling companies of millions of pounds.

"This is a stark reminder to even the most fruitful criminals; not only will you be caught and brought before the courts, we will also seize any money and assets you've gained through criminal activity."

Helen Hughes of the CPS, said: "David Mills is the epitome of a fraudster, taking advantage of people when they were in desperate need of help and bleeding them dry.

"They trusted him and he made matters even worse, using the last of their hard-earned money to buy extravagant trips abroad and luxury yachts.

"David and Alison Mills profited from the downfall of others but now they must face the consequence of their greed and pay back more than £10million.

"While we cannot undo the harm they caused to so many through their parasitic plan, these confiscation orders will at least mean an end to the pair's opulent lifestyle."