(1) In section 177 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (absconding defendant convicted or committed), for subsection (2) substitute -
"(2) The first condition is that a defendant falls within either of the following paragraphs -
(a) he absconds and, either before or after doing so, he is convicted of an offence or offences in proceedings before the Crown Court;
(b) he absconds after being committed to the Crown Court in respect of an offence or offences under section 218 below (committal with a view to a confiscation order being considered)."
(2) For subsections (6) and (7) of that section substitute -
"(6) Once the defendant ceases to be an absconder -
(a) section 169 has effect as if subsection (1) read -
"(1) This section applies if -
(a) at a time when the first condition in section 177 was satisfied the court did not proceed under section 156,
(b) before the end of the period of six years starting with the day when the defendant ceased to be an absconder, the prosecutor applies to t
…