A man has had to forfeit almost £15,000 after police found large sums of cash stashed between children's toys.

Ojars Latkovskis, from Sittingbourne, was ordered to surrender £14,610 and to pay £1,000 in costs after he was unable to explain to police why he had the money.

On September 25, 2020, officers carried out a warrant at a business premises in Argent Way, Queenborough as part of an investigation into the alleged theft of vehicles.

Subsequently, officers also searched Mr Latkovskis’ home address where they found various sums of money.

Some was concealed in brown envelopes between children’s toys, some in bags under the beds and more than £8,000 was also found in a wardrobe.

When asked about the money the 51-year-old claimed the cash included proceeds from the sale of cars and children's pocket money.

The money was seized and financial investigators from Kent Police’s serious economic crime unit applied for it to be forfeited under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

DI Dave Godfrey said: "Whilst Mr Latkovskis was never charged with any criminal offences in relation to this case, he was unable to provide any verifiable evidence as to why he had such large sums of money hidden away at his house.

"Our financial investigators regularly use the Proceeds of Crime Act to ensure money potentially earned through illegal means cannot be used to fund further criminal activity, and to reinforce the important message that crime does not pay."