Tess Vaughan, the long-standing partner of convicted killer Timmy Donovan, funded private school fees for her children and drove a high-end Audi using proceeds from his criminal enterprise.
Donovan, 41, is serving more than 14 years for supplying dozens of kilos of class A drugs and laundering over £10m in illicit money. He was previously convicted of the manslaughter of newly-wed PC Neil Doyle.
Lifestyle flagged during NCA probe
During a National Crime Agency (NCA) investigation into his drug enterprise, investigators focused on Vaughan after spotting differences between her lifestyle and what she had reported to tax authorities.
During a raid on the couple's property in Childwall in Liverpool, police found an Audi Q7 in her name. The monthly payments on the car exceeded £730. They also found a substantial collection of designer clothing and hidden cash.
A deeper analysis of the 36-year-old's financial records showed that both her young children were enrolled at private school. Vaughan had also been settling her utility bills with cash payment and had deposited more than £37,000 into various bank accounts.
Court hears of cash deposits
Liverpool Crown Court was told on Tuesday that the NCA suspected the money originated from Donovan, though they could not discount her older brother, James Vaughan, as a possible source.
Both Donovan and James Vaughan, who had previously featured on the NCA's most wanted fugitives list, received their sentences at Manchester Crown Court in February last year. Operating under the EncroChat aliases "Astralcleaner" and "Legendarytooth", Donovan was the "leading player" in separate drug and money laundering conspiracies.
The NCA branded Donovan a "dangerous individual" and revealed that when officers raided the family home, "almost every door" had been specially reinforced. Donovan became embroiled in the EncroChat plot following his release from prison, having previously been convicted of the manslaughter of newly-wed PC Neil Doyle, who was struck with a "piledriver punch" during a Christmas night out.
Partner and brother sentenced
He was handed a sentence of six years and 10 months in prison after being apprehended in Germany. Operating under the EncroChat handle "Lameregent", James Vaughan collected, stored and counted cash on behalf of Donovan before handing it over to couriers. He subsequently fled to Spain before being extradited back to the UK, where he was sentenced to four years and three months in prison.
Donovan faces both a serious crime prevention order application and a confiscation order, with both matters scheduled to be heard at Manchester Crown Court on January 27 next year.
Martyn Walsh, prosecuting Tess Vaughan, informed the court that investigators uncovered regular cash deposits - sometimes several on the same day - across numerous bank accounts. Mr Walsh further revealed that over several years she used nearly £3,200 in cash to settle her utility bills.
Suspended sentence and recovery hearing
Vaughan, who gave no comment throughout her police interview, entered guilty pleas to two counts of acquisition, use or possession of criminal property on the opening day of her trial on August 24. Prosecutors confirmed that she had benefited to the tune of £40,827 in total. A third charge, concerning the cash discovered in the cupboard, was left on file after prosecutors opted not to pursue a trial on that particular matter.
Vaughan's criminal record consisted of just one minor motoring offence from 2012. In her defence, Jessica Ward told the court there was no evidence to suggest Vaughan had participated in her brother and Donovan's criminal activities, though she acknowledged her client had displayed "a lack of questioning, a lack of suspicion".
Ms Ward explained that the mother-of-two had "got her life together" following Donovan's return to prison in 2022 and had achieved financial independence through establishing her own business. The court was told that Vaughan had become a vital figure not only to her children but to her extended family following the death of her father, Stephen Vaughan Snr, last July.
"In the midst of their grief, she became a crucial figure they could all rely on," Ms Ward said. She continued: "Ms Vaughan is not someone who will appear before these courts again. She has made positive and frankly impressive steps, setting up her own business and managing her own finances. She will continue to do what she has done for the last four years. Being a mother and being emotional support for her wider family."
Passing sentence, Recorder Sarah Holt stated the money deposited by Vaughan represented "profits that your partner and brother made". She continued: "You might not have been involved but you have benefited from that evil trade, wealth emulated from the lives blighted by drugs."
Vaughan, dressed in a black, square-shouldered jacket and wearing her long, blonde hair loose, received an 18-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months. She was also ordered to complete 10 rehabilitation days and 80 hours of unpaid work.
She will now face a proceeds of crime hearing, during which investigators will seek to recover the profits she benefited from. Vaughan thanked the judge before stepping down from the dock.
