A court has ordered the forfeiture of more than £110,000 in cash after a couple were unable to demonstrate how they obtained the money.

Lee Martin, 35, and his wife Hayley, 42, from Gravesend, claimed the money had been left by a relative just before they died in 2020.

The couple said they planned to distribute the money to family members at Christmas.

On December 17, 2020, officers searched a property in the town and found two vacuum-packed bags of cash in the kitchen cupboard.

An investigation and financial analysis of bank accounts and HMRC income records revealed it was unlikely the relative would have accumulated such a large sum.

As well as this, a sample of the money showed three bank notes had been issued by the Bank of England after their death.

Financial investigators from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate applied for the money to be confiscated because the couple were unable to demonstrate it had been earned through legitimate means.

"The Proceeds of Crime Act enables our financial investigators to ensure any money potentially acquired through criminal means is not used to fund further unlawful activity..."

A hearing took place at Margate Magistrates’ Court on December 2 and the court ordered the forfeiture of £111,040 as well as accrued interest.

Detective Inspector Dave Godfrey of Kent Police’s economic crime unit said: "While Mr and Mrs Martin were never charged with any criminal offences in relation to this incident, they were unable to provide a verifiable explanation as to where the money came from.

"The Proceeds of Crime Act enables our financial investigators to ensure any money potentially acquired through criminal means is not used to fund further unlawful activity."