Director of Public Prosecutions v Joseph James O’Connor & Ors

Director of Public Prosecutions v Joseph James O’Connor & Ors

The court was satisfied on the balance of probabilities that the cryptocurrency in the specified accounts was obtained through unlawful conduct, including computer hacking, fraud, and money laundering, and is therefore recoverable property under POCA. The procedural requirements for service and participation were met or properly dispensed with. The court must make a civil recovery order vesting the property in the trustee.

Parties
Claimant: Director of Public Prosecutions; Defendant: Joseph James O’Connor; Defendant: Keir Holme; Defendant: Kyle Lomax
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
14 November 2025
Procedural Posture
Civil Recovery / Final Judgment
Outcome
civil recovery order granted
Legal Topics
Proceeds of Crime, Cryptocurrency, Money Laundering, Unlawful Conduct, Recovery Order, Service of Process
Criminal Law Civil Recovery Asset Forfeiture Proceeds of Crime Cryptocurrency Money Laundering Unlawful Conduct Recovery Order +1 more

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Parties

Director of Public Prosecutions

Claimant

Joseph James O’Connor

Defendant

Keir Holme

Defendant

Kyle Lomax

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Civil Recovery / Final Judgment

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the cryptocurrency held in specified accounts constitutes recoverable property under POCA
  2. 2 Whether the court has jurisdiction to make a recovery order over property held outside the UK
  3. 3 Whether procedural requirements for service and participation were satisfied

Ratio Decidendi

The court was satisfied on the balance of probabilities that the cryptocurrency in the specified accounts was obtained through unlawful conduct, including computer hacking, fraud, and money laundering, and is therefore recoverable property under POCA. The procedural requirements for service and participation were met or properly dispensed with. The court must make a civil recovery order vesting the property in the trustee.

Court Disposition

civil recovery order granted

Orders

  • Civil recovery order made under POCA s.266 in respect of the specified cryptocurrency accounts
  • Christine Bartlett of Richard Long & Co. appointed as trustee for civil recovery