ELLIS Martin, a wealthy businessman behind a massive cross Channel beer smuggling operation, was jailed for six years and 10 months at the Old Bailey yesterday.
Martin was also told he would have to meet a £3.32 million assets confiscation order, the first made by a British court for smuggling alcohol.
The 37 year old father of two, who used a front company and forged documents to import nearly nine million cans of extra strong lager, was warned he could face a further four years in jail if the money was not paid within 36 months.
Martin defrauded British Customs and Excise of almost £5 million, spending part of the proceeds on three houses, a wine bar and a warehouse. A further £270,000 went on an expensive house with swimming pool in Southgate, north London, with more money being invested in business premises in France.
Martin, whose smuggling operation took advantage of the EU's relaxation of border controls, also controlled 14 bank accounts and had nine cars, including two Mercedes convertibles bought for cash. About £2.2 million is believed to be hidden abroad.
Passing sentence, Judge Valerie Pearlman told him: "It is quite clear to me that you hold the law in contempt, something to be used to your own benefit. This is shown quite clearly by your evidence that you did not follow the rules, cut corners and turned your back on the rule book."
Judge Pearlman ruled that Martin, who had been convicted earlier this year on five charges of cheating British Customs and Excise, had made £4.8 million from his crimes, £3.32 million of which was realisable.
Martin, who was convicted earlier this year of five charges of cheating British Customs and Excise between November 1993 and June 1994, was also disqualified from being a company director for 10 years.
