Completely new to this.

[gaspipe58]

Only just noticed the reply.

 

Destruction of serviceable equipment is always a waste. If the law does not allow for the courts to transfer ownership then the law needs to be changed. There is no difference in denial of use - the offender looses his equipment either way but by transferring ownership to a worthy cause you are not compounding the wrong by creating a disposal problem or denying legal use by others. The court can order items to be sold to recover costs. I believe this is usually by auction.

 

Deterrent value is limited as people committing offences do not believe they will be caught. Even so if there be a deterrent it is in the loss of use of their equipment not how that loss is bought about.