A MEMBER of a robbery gang which targeted a security van in Newport profited by £37,000 — but was ordered to pay back just £1.

Lee Donakey, 35, was part of a gang which targeted guards working for Group Four Security (G4S) delivering money to cash machines at Tesco Extra stores on Harlech Retail Park, Newport, and Pengam Green, Cardiff, in 2009.

Donakey, of Liverpool, was jailed for ten years last year.

Donakey appeared in Cardiff Crown Court via video link for a hearing under the Proceeds of Crime Act, which enables the crown to confiscate money obtained by criminal means.

Judge Christopher Vosper QC ruled Donakey benefited by a total of £37,000 from his offences.

The court heard Donakey had no assets, so he was ordered to repay a nominal amount of £1.

An accomplice, Ryan Lamb, 30, also of Liverpool, was ordered to repay £1 from his profits last November.

Under the Proceeds of Crime Act, if the defendants are found to have funds at a later date, police can apply for more to he paid back.

At Donakey's sentencing, the court heard the Newport robbery took place on October 16, 2009.

Two men approached and 'manhandled' two C4S guards causing them to drop one of the cassettes containing the money.

The court heard the Cardiff robbery took place on November 13, 2009, and followed a similar pattern, where the guards were 'manhandled' until they dropped the money.

Mr Griffiths said at least two other men are believed to have taken part in the robberies, but they have not been traced and the money has not been recovered.

Representing Lamb, Jonathan Duffy said Lamb was employed to be the driver and minimal violence was involved.

Donakey's counsel, Philip Tully, said Donakey was recruited to be a look out and he did not approach any of the guards.

EDITORIAL COMMENT: Criminals should pay up

PEOPLE will understandably be outraged today when they read about the gang member ordered to pay back just £1 after being involved in a robbery that netted £137,000.

Lee Donakey was part of a gang which targeted a security van in Newport delivering money to cash machines at Tesco Extra stores on Harlech Retail Park, Newport, and Pengam Green, Cardiff.

Yesterday a court was told Donakey has no assets and therefore he was ordered to repay a nominal amount of £1. An accomplice was also ordered to repay £1 from his profits of £37,000 last November.

That means £2 has now been paid back from a £137,000 robbery.

We realise that these men could be ordered to pay back more should their circumstances change.

However, it is difficult to foresee a situation whereby their circumstances change so dramatically that they could pay back this sort of money at any point in the future.

We have seen many cases like this, where people are ripped off and the perpetrators of crime are asked to pay back a nominal sum.

This does little for the victims of the crime and in fact gives the impression that the whole process is a time consuming waste of court resources.

If these criminals ever do come into a substantial amount of money then they should be made to pay up straight away.