DURHAM Police has achieved its first forfeiture under recent legislation to restrict the circulation of potential 'dirty' money.

The force reached a settlement to keep half of the sum of £68,500 seized from a businessman's home earlier this year.

Although Sandro Farini, 37, refused to accept the money came from the proceeds of crime he agreed to forfeit £34,500, plus interest, at a hearing before Durham magistrates. The action was taken under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, and requires only the civil burden of 'balance of probability' to be proved.

The money will now go into a central fund to be circulated among police forces to help with the fight against crime.

Some will go towards setting up a North-East office aimed at seeking the recovery of money believed to have been gained through illegal activities. A search was caried out by police at Mr Farini's home, in Thorndale Road, Belmont, in June.

Sunil Rupasinha, for the police, said £68,500 found in three bundles in a bedroom was detained 'as there reasonable grounds for the suspicion that it was crime-related.'

Mr Rupasinha said it was subsequently accepted a proportion was legitimately in Mr Farini's possession. He is understood to trade in cars.