Adams family crime boss jailed for 7 years

By Stefano Ambrogi

LONDON (Reuters) - One of the country's most feared gangsters, who prosecutors said had amassed tens of millions of pounds from drugs and extortion, was jailed for seven years on Friday after agreeing to admit to money laundering.

Terry Adams, 52, head of London's Adams crime family, pleaded guilty to a 1.1 million pound money laundering scam, which prosecutors described as covering a tiny proportion of an illicit fortune.

Sentencing Adams at the Old Bailey criminal court, Judge Timothy Pontius said he would have to serve at least half of his term in prison.

Adams showed no emotion as he was ordered to pay back 750,000 pounds worth of assets in a confiscation order. He had faced a maximum term of 14 years in jail.

He made a plea bargain last month on the eve of what was likely to have been a costly four-month trial. In return, his sick wife Ruth, 46, was spared prosecution.

Despite admitting laundering money obtained through crime, he has not been convicted of the crimes themselves. He was trapped by an investigation involving the MI5 that uncovered a money laundering operation spanning decades.

Adams acquired a string of luxury homes across London, fitted with stolen antiques, after rising to become one of the country's most feared criminals, prosecutors told the court.

"It was a prosperous life and included flying around the world, staying in the most exclusive hotels, indulging a passion for expensive watches and jewellery, motorbikes and private education," prosecutor Andrew Mitchell said.