A man who laundered money for a rogue tree surgeon in Greenwich has been jailed.

Money launderer Simon Harley, 39, was working with a rogue trader to rip of residents.

Harley received £8,000 into his bank account from the tree surgeon who had charged a resident that much to cut down their tree. 

But when the tree surgeon requested another £10,000 payment the concerned resident contacted Royal Greenwich’s Trading Standards Team. 

An officer began a financial investigation which identified Harley, from Bordon in East Hampshire, as involved in the scam. 

Harley pleaded guilty at St Alban’s Crown Court and was sentenced to three years in custody. 

His accomplice, Natasha Butcher, received a sentence of nine months' imprisonment, suspended for 18 months and 120 hours unpaid work for money laundering. 

Councillor Ann-Marie Cousins, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Enforcement, said: “In Royal Greenwich we want to ensure that everyone is safe and feels safe. 

“If people decide to help rogue traders by allowing their bank accounts to be used to launder money, they should be fully aware that they are also liable to be prosecuted and may receive substantial prison sentences. There is no excuse for facilitating crime. 

“We will continue to do all we can to crack down on rogue traders and their accomplices who seek to take financial advantage of residents in our borough.”