A court bid is to be launched to recover £3.3million in prosecution costs accrued in the case of a Mill Hill-based crime boss.

Feared crime lord Terry Adams, 52, of Hendon Wood Lane, was jailed for seven years in March for covering up a £1m underworld fortune.

Adams, who is described as being more fearsome than the Krays, was imprisoned after pleading guilty to helping conceal criminal property between August 5, 1997, and January 12, 2003.

The Legal Services Commission's Special Investigations Unit has been instructed by judges to recover the prosecution costs from Adams, who is estimated to be worth about £11m.

A costs hearing is due to take place at the Old Bailey or Blackfriars Crown Court on Tuesday, May 8.

Together with his brothers Patsy and Tommy, the Adams family made millions from the drug trade in the 1980s, when they were known in the criminal fraternity as The A Team.

Police have also alleged the Adams clan tortured a Mayfair businessman, virtually slicing off his nose and ear.