Adams family crime boss jailed for 7 years

LONDON, Mar 9 (Reuters) One of Britain's most feared crime bosses was jailed for seven years at the Old Bailey today after he agreed to plead guilty to money laundering charges.

The judge said he would have to serve at least half of that term in prison before being eligible for parole.

Adams, 52, head of London's infamous Adams family, was ordered to pay back 750,000 pounds worth of assets in a confiscation order.

He made a plea bargain last month on the eve of what was likely to have been a four-month trial.

In return, his sick wife Ruth, 46, was spared prosecution.

Adams was brought down after a sophisticated Al Capone-style investigation involving the MI5 security service that uncovered a money laundering operation spanning decades.

Joanna Barnes, an accomplice who had helped him evade justice, avoided jail but was ordered to pay a 5,000 pound fine and court costs of 2,500 pounds.

REUTERS PDM RAI2318