Three Christchurch properties, seven art works, a jet ski and some $70,000 cash was ordered forfeit as proceeds of crime with patched Headhunter gang member Darrin Stephen Baylis described in the High Court as making illegal gains selling methamphetamine, trading in motor vehicles without a licence, acting as a repossession agent without a licence, and fraudulently obtaining unemployment benefits.
Now aged 59, Baylis purchased the first property on Ensign Street in Halswell as his then family home. Two other properties were later purchased on Frankleigh Street in Somerfield, partly in cash and partly with a mortgage collateralised over all three properties.
All three properties were ‘tainted,’ funded in part from proceeds of crime.
Justice Churchman ordered all three properties together with the other seized assets forfeit under the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act.
Baylis said his former spouse Kathy Cribbett was entitled to half the net equity in the three properties; her entitlement under the Property (Relationships) Act, he stated. He produced an unsigned agreement as evidence.
Justice Churchman said this document appeared to be no more than an attempt by Baylis to preserve some share of his equity. The share promised to his former spouse went beyond what she would be likely to receive when applying relationship property rules, he said.
Instead, Justice Churchman made a Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act hardship order favouring Ms Cribbett in respect of the Frankleigh Street property where she currently lives and has been paying rent.
The effect of this hardship order is to award her a half share in the Frankleigh Street property with a requirement she raise a mortgage to buy out Baylis’ forfeited half share.
Ms Cribbett is required to borrow $300,000. This money is to be paid across to Insolvency Service which is managing realisation of Baylis’ forfeited assets. She remains liable to pay off this mortgage over time.
Commissioner of Police v. Baylis – High Court (20.12.24)
25.058
Postscript: In October 2024, Ms Cribbett negotiated a Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act settlement approved by Justice Churchman in the High Court following allegations of tax evasion in which she agreed to forfeit $49,600 conditional on a successful relationship property claim in respect of Frankleigh Road against former spouse Mr Baylis.