A bare-knuckle boxer from Camden who stashed his criminal winnings in a safe in Selfridges has been spared prison.

Former successful prizefighter Mark Mullan, 33, from Hawley Road, stashed proceeds from the illegal fights in the department store from 2006 to 2010.

His girlfriend, Nancy Saunders, 27, of Fitzroy Road, Primrose Hill, also siphoned off �31,000 in benefits from Camden Council and �15,000 from the government, Blackfriars Crown Court was told on Tuesday (February 28).

Police found cash totalling �99,000 from the illegal fights, benefit fraud and money from the boxer’s work as a landscaper.

Sentencing Judge Peter Clarke QC said: “If you (Mullan) wanted to make your living at the risk of your own wellbeing, parliament tries to stop you doing it, then so be it. It does mean that a lot of money has been lost that you have earned through your own pain and suffering.”

Mullan was given a nine month suspended sentence and 120 hours of unpaid work after pleading guilty to concealing criminal property.

Mother-of-three Saunders admitted concealing criminal property and fraud and was given a six month suspended sentence and 80 hours of unpaid work.