By Staff Reporter

Last updated 11:38, Tuesday, 13 May 2008

RELATIVES of a Carlisle drugs baron have paid the price for helping to prop up his evil empire – for the second time.

Brian ‘Bimbo’ O’Neil’s son, daughter, and a brother-in-law, Alan Jeffrey, have already spent time behind bars for handling cash that fuelled a city-wide heroin dealing network.

A second brother-in-law, Peter Jeffrey, narrowly escaped jail last year when he was given a suspended sentence for what a judge heard was his involvement in a ‘family’ business.

But Brian O’Neil junior, Louise O’Neil and the Jeffreys must now hand over thousands of pounds that they ‘safeguarded’ for ‘Bimbo’ while he served a jail term for drug dealing.

Their actions meant O’Neil was able to come out of jail and take up where he left off – heading up a gang that supplied drugs to every Carlisle estate until police caught up with him again.

Some cash was hidden under floorboards while other money passed through various bank accounts.

All four appeared before a judge at Preston Crown Court yesterday for a confiscation hearing under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Peter Jeffrey, 42, of Greystone Road, Carlisle, must pay £50,000 to the police or go to prison for 18 months.

Alan Jeffrey, 50, of Mardale Road, Carlisle, must hand over £5,450.18 or face three months in jail.

Brian O’Neil junior, 22, of Percy Road, Longsowerby, Carlisle, must pay £3,323.81 or go to jail for two months.

He must also sell a BMW to meet his obligations.

Louise O’Neil, 25, of Prescott Road, Longsowerby, Carlisle, must pay police £1,667.58. The court heard that was a formality as the cash had been seized.

None of the four disputed the case put by the police.

Today Brian ‘Bimbo’ O’Neil, serving a 12-and-a-half year term for conspiring to supply heroin, will face confiscation proceedings along with wife Linda who is serving a five-year term.

They are expected to be joined by Ronald Jeffrey, 51, of Brookside, Raffles, Carlisle, another brother-in-law of O’Neil’s.