A WOMAN who police say has been leading the high life on the back of a money laundering operation has been ordered to pay back more than a quarter of a million pounds.

Julie Lanfear was the partner of former policeman John Wildman, who had nearly £270,000 of assets confiscated from him after being convicted of fraud in connection with his Urchfont car dealership.

Lanfear, 49, of Littleton Panell, near Devizes, has been ordered to pay back £256,000 after she was convicted of money laundering.

She appeared at Winchester Crown Court for the confiscation proceedings last week after her partner Wildman, had £269,758.25 assets confiscated from him under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

She must pay the money within three months, or face the possibility of a default sentence of four years in prison.

Financial Investigator Andrew Stonell said: "Lanfear’s case leads on from John Wildman’s conviction.

"I believe that this case demonstrates that we do follow the money and we do seek to, and are successful in, removing the financial proceeds from criminal activity.

"It is vitally important that criminals do not benefit financially from their crimes and enjoy lavish lifestyles most honest hardworking people can only dream of.

"Lanfear has been enjoying personal spending on credit cards and expensive foreign holidays.

"I am satisfied with the result at court which requires both Lanfear and her partner at the time of the fraudulent activity, Wildman, to hand over the proceeds of ill-gotten gains."

In 2012 Wildman, 70, of Littleton Pannell, near Devizes was jailed for 20 months after admitting 18 charges of fraud connected with his business between 2006 and 2008.

Wildman’s son Jason, from Park Road, Market Lavington, had pleaded guilty to six charges jointly with his father was sentenced to 10 months, suspended for 12 months, and ordered him to undertake 300 hours of unpaid work in the community.

In November, 2013, he was ordered to pay back £127,443 under the Proceeds of Crime Act.