A JUDGE told a convicted North Wales drugs baron that he must find legal means to run his modest block paving business.

John David Gizzi appeared in Mold Crown Court where he admitted flouting a Serious Crime Prevention Order imposed to curb his activities on his release from prison following the 10-year prison sentence he received in 2011 for conspiracy to supply cocaine.

Gizzi breached the order by paying nearly £15,000 from his business into a Santander bank account.

Judge Niclas Parry told Gizzi: “Block paving isn’t paying as much as drugs, but it isn’t doing too badly from what I can see.

“This has led to a technical breach and there are ways of you putting your business money into a bank without breaching the order.”

Prosecutor Emmalyne Downing said that Gizzi’s mother had previously paid money in, but on four occasions this year Gizzi attended the bank to make transactions.

“When he was arrested he said he was aware of the order, but needed to pay customers for his paving business,” she said.

The prosecutor explained that Santander had changed its rules and did not allow third parties to put money into bank accounts.

Gizzi, 47, of Penisaf Avenue, Towyn, pleaded guilty to four charges of failing to comply with a Serious Crime Prevention Order on April 3, April 13, April 25 and May 4 this year at Santander branches in Colwyn Bay and Rhyl.

Defence barrister Duncan Bould said that Gizzi’s mother would need to be a signatory on her son’s account in future which would ensure the conditions of the Serious Crime Prevention Order weren’t breached.

“He committed a technical breach of the order and he didn’t think he was doing anything wrong. He didn’t think he was putting his liberty in jeopardy which is what he has done,” said Mr Bould.

“He has already had the good sense to see how these types of activities can be arranged to avoid future breaches.”

Gizzi, who appeared in custody at court, was handed a 12-month conditional discharge by the judge.