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Judges rule streetfighter’s jail sentence was the right one

10/ 4/2008

BARE-KNUCKLE boxer John Joyce has failed to win a cut in his jail sentence at the Appeal Court.

Joyce, of Martindale Crescent, Langley was sentenced to 17 months in prison at Bolton Crown Court back in January after he admitted four counts of dealing in and two counts of possession of criminal property.

The former boxing coach had managed to amass almost £120,000 worth of illegitimate income, including a convertible car, designer clothing and jewellery, over several years – despite being unemployed.

Joyce claimed he had made the money through organising and fighting in bare knuckle fights among the travelling community, unlicensed car trading, benefit fraud and income tax evasion.

Lawyers representing ‘largely illiterate’ Joyce argued before Mr Justice Penny-Davey and Mr Justice Foskett at London's Criminal Appeal Court the sentence was too long. The court was told in mitigation, 29-year-old Joyce had done substantial good work within his community.

But his appeal was dismissed.

Judge Penry-Davey said: "We have looked at the picture overall. There were substantial sums involved from different sources. The offences went on over a period of some years.

"In the cirumstances we have come to the conclusion that the approach that the learned judge took was appropriate, and we do not consider that this sentence of 17 months was either manifestly excessive or wrong in principle."

The Guardian reported last month how Joyce had been ordered at a proceeds of crime hearing to pay back £32,000 within six months – or face a further 18 months behind bars.