Seized drug runner's car donated to St Luke's Hospice

Donating the seized drug runner's car to St Luke's seemed like "the right thing to do", police said

A convicted drug runner's car has been donated to a hospice in Devon.

The Volkswagen Sharan was seized from two men who were supplying skunk cannabis in Plymouth.

When Michael Doyle and Princely Kudothore were convicted, the judge ordered Kudothore's car to be seized and disposed of.

Devon and Cornwall Police said the car which had been used to bring "misery and crime" to the city would now be used for good.

"The fact that it will now go to the aid of a group giving unquestioning support to people when they need it most is very satisfying - it seems like the right thing to do," Det Sgt Mark Newnham said.

'Crime doesn't pay'

The financial investigation unit officer said the idea came to him when St Luke's Hospice recently issued a plea for help after a local car dealership was unable to continue its support.

Det Sgt Newnham said when Doyle, of Bigbury Walk, Leigham, Plymouth and Kudothore, of Hounslow, Middlesex, were arrested in November 2011 police recovered skunk cannabis, cash and seized the "almost new" people carrier.

The pair had been involved in bringing more than £300,000 worth of skunk cannabis into the city.

"This car was being used by people intent on bringing misery and crime to so many people in Plymouth," he said.

Doyle and Kudothore subsequently pleaded guilty to supplying class B drugs and were jailed in January last year at Plymouth Crown Court for 40 months and 27 months respectively.

St Luke's Hospice said the car would help it in its fundraising work to raise "vital income" to provide free end of life care.