A FRAUDSTER who acted with corrupt Kilmacolm lawyers in a £1.5 million money laundering racket today handed over £972 to halt a proceeds of crime action.

Robert Ferguson, 67, made a total of £34,822.08 from his criminal activities, the High Court in Edinburgh heard.

But Judge Norman McFadyen also heard that Ferguson only has £972 available to hand over at this point in time.

The news emerged during a hearing at the court. 

Prosecutors had launched an action under proceeds of crime legislation against Ferguson, Mohammed Aziz, 61, and disgraced solicitors David Lyons, 72, Iain Robertson, 70 - both of Kilmacolm - and Alastair Blackwood.

The gang were convicted following a trial at the High Court in Glasgow after jurors sitting in a nine week long trial heard how they had used Paisley-based law firm Robertson and Ross to launder cash. 

The court heard how the money was funnelled through the client account of the firm to try and make it look legitimate.

The trial was the culmination of a process which had been triggered by a Law Society probe into activities at the firm. 

The men convicted of fraud and multiple charges under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

Robertson, Lyons and Aziz were also convicted on charges of being involved in serious organised crime.

Robertson, of Kilmacolm, Renfrewshire, was jailed for eight years while Blackwood, of Dunlop, Ayrshire, was given a seven year stretch. 

Aziz, of Partick, Glasgow, was also given a seven year stretch whilst Ferguson, 67, of Thornliebank, Glasgow was jailed for 16 months.

Prosecutors told jurors the case centred on four transactions carried out between May 2015 and

July 2016.

The first transaction involved a £79,340 stolen cheque due to be paid to a law firm in Jersey.

The next centred on £240,000 from a fraudulent house sale in London.

The third transaction saw £985,000 stolen from the hacked bank account of an individual.

And the final illegal activity was uncovered after Robertson claimed to be acting for a man who wanted to sell his home in Essex.

The court heard that the "seller" was said to be staying at a flat that turned out to be Ferguson's address.

A total of £181,786 was made from the fraudulent sale.

In each transaction, the proceeds were funnelled through the client bank account held by Robertson's firm in Paisley.

Limited, and false records were created to make them appear legitimate.

Fake papers and fake IDs - including a passport and driver's licence - were collated in a bid to cover up the crimes.

The Law Society raised concerns about several of these transactions before alerting police to the potential illegal activity. The men were jailed by judge Lord Richardson.

Prosecutors can return to court to seize more of Robertson’s assets if they discover that he has more ill gotten gains at his disposal.

Judge McFadyen continued the action against Robertson’s fellow accomplices for one month.