A man has been ordered to return almost £73,000 after scamming 10 victims through a complex investment fraud.

Lee Barnett, from Gravesend, and Ashley Hunte, from south London, committed a number of fraud and money laundering offences between 2014 and 2017.

Barnett, 36, and Hunte, 41, carried out the offences through a business called Britannia Direct Solutions (BDS).

The business, owned by Barnett, persuaded victims to part with sums of money on the promise that their investments would be secured in a London City Bond (LCB) account.

An investigation by police and a financial analysis of bank accounts and other financial documents revealed that in some examples, the alleged investments were never made by BDS.

Where investments were made, the value did not match the sums paid by victims.

On Monday April 25 Barnett, of Tensing Avenue, and Hunte, 41, of Queensthorpe Road, were both sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment for fraud and money laundering.

"Barnett and Hunte knowingly defrauded their victims of large sums of money for their own greed and financial gain..."

The men returned to court on Wednesday December 21 where Barnett was ordered to pay £72,982 under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

The court was unable to recoup funds from Hunte as he has no available assets, but if his financial situation changes this will be revisited.

The judge also ruled that each victim will be returned a percentage of the funds available.

Failure to repay the agreed amount within three months will result in Barnett receiving a further 18 months’ sentence.

Detective Inspector Dave Godfrey of Kent Police’s economic crime unit said: "Barnett and Hunte knowingly defrauded their victims of large sums of money for their own greed and financial gain.

"We are pleased that the victims will receive compensation for their losses and that this case offers a stark reminder to offenders that crime does not pay.

"The Proceeds of Crime Act enables our financial investigators to ensure any money potentially acquired through criminal means is not used to fund further unlawful activity."