Illegal sports bar front for laundering cash

An illegal sports bar with slot machines, set up in a garden, had landed the operator a suspended jail sentence.

Jamie Blake of North Shields, England, had used the illegal bar and social club he built in his garden to launder £107,000 in cash. He had a drinks bar, flat screen televisions and 13 unlicensed slots in the venue.

There was also a pool table, drinks dispensers and fridges and the TVs showed live football matches. It was uncovered during a drugs bust by the local police force.

In court last week, Blake was given a two-year suspended jail sentence and was ordered to pay back £63,000 within three months.