Alan Dykes, age 55 from Poole in Dorset, created a false wall at a lock-up to help store a Jaguar XK120 that could be worth as much as £88,000. Mr Dykes, who is now locked up in prison for perverting the course of justice and perjury, had previously informed the courts that he had no assets.
The classic car was hidden from the authorities on purpose by Mr Dykes who was found guilty in 2011 of deceptively obtaining a £45,000 money transfer. In fact, Mr Dykes, at his confiscation hearing, had informed police that the car was overseas but following a thorough investigation by officers it was discovered.
The police enquiries led officers to some agricultural buildings that had been connected to Mr Dykes. It took a keenly aware officer to notice that one of the stud walls actually came out two feet further than another one. It was only when police officers were able to knock the wall down that they discovered the silver Jaguar XK120 behind it.
As a result, Mr Dykes was subsequently re-arrested and was then charged with two offences of perverting the course of justice and perjury. He was later found to be guilty of those offences and sentenced to serve twelve months in jail.
So, you are probably wandering what is going to happen to the classic car?
Well, it is going to be signed over to the police in Dorset and will then be sold to cover the £68,000 that Mr Dykes is believed to have benefited as a result of his deception and also to cover any court costs.
The police made the observation that it lets people know that you cannot expect to be able to get away with hiding such an asset.
The Jaguar XK120 is a beautiful classic car that was actually launched during the London Motor Show back in 1948 but as a show vehicle for a Jaguar XK engine. However, it proved so popular that Jaguar decided to produce the car and, in fact, the very first car to come of the production line was for the actor Clark Gable.
