A British national who fled Taiwan after being convicted in a fatal hit-and-run case has been found to own no assets under his name in the UK, the Ministry of Justice said on Wednesday.
The ministry’s Department of Prevention, Rehabilitation and Protection head You Ming-jen (游明仁) said that the ministry had asked Taiwan’s representative office in the UK to hire private detectives to learn about Zain Dean’s financial situation.
Their findings show that Dean worked for four companies in the UK, three of which have now closed.
He is also listed as a shareholder in one company, although he owns no shares.
“So far, the ministry has not been able to trace any assets he owns in the UK,” Yu said.
On May 23, the High Court in London ruled that Dean should pay NT$9.08 million (US$300,000) in civil damages to the family of the victim, Huang Chun-te (黃俊德), upholding an earlier ruling by a Taiwanese court.
According to the ministry, if the investigation finds that Dean has disposed of his assets or is now financially unable to pay the money, Huang’s family would be able to obtain a debt obligation from a British court that would allow the seizure of Dean’s assets or income in the future.
Dean, who was the head of a British company’s Taiwan office, was sentenced to four years in prison in July 2012 on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol, manslaughter and committing a hit-and-run offense.
Using a friend’s passport and wearing a disguise, Dean fled Taiwan the following month.
On June 11 this year, the Edinburgh Sheriff Court ruled that Dean should be extradited to Taiwan to serve his sentence, and the Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Justice Kenny MacAskill approved the extradition on Aug. 1.
Dean, who is being held in detention in Scotland, has appealed the ruling.
The first appeal hearing is due to take place next Friday.
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