UK fugitive 'a flight risk'
30 July 2010, 18:46
British fugitive Darren Finch, wanted in the UK on charges of money laundering, would flee South Africa if released on bail, the Cape Town District Court heard on Friday.
State advocate J C Gerber opposed Finch's release on bail, and delivered closing argument before magistrate Grant Engel.
Finch fled to South Africa under the false name of Mark Maine after his release on bail by the Leeds Magistrate's court in the United Kingdom.
Finch faced two charges of conspiracy, related to money laundering, and importing and supplying "Class C" controlled medicines, and money laundering in Leeds in the UK.
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State advocate J C Gerber opposed Finch's release on bail, and delivered closing argument before magistrate Grant Engel.
Finch fled to South Africa under the false name of Mark Maine after his release on bail by the Leeds Magistrate's court in the United Kingdom.
Finch faced two charges of conspiracy, related to money laundering, and importing and supplying "Class C" controlled medicines, and money laundering in Leeds in the UK.
His presence as an illegal foreigner came to light after an application by the British authorities for his extradition back to the UK.
Finch was found living the high life with his wife in a rented home in Llandudno, a plush suburb on the Atlantic seaboard.
He was found in possession of a second false passport, this one in the name of John Christopher Clarke.
Gerber said Finch could easily obtain false passports.
He said Finch had no right to remain in South Africa, and that he did not have a valid passport in his own name.
Because he had entered South Africa illegally, with a false passport, he now faced various charges involving contraventions of the Immigration Act.
The bail proceedings in the District Court continue on Monday.
Finch now faces extradition back to the UK on the criminal charges in the Leeds Magistrate's Court, as well as deportation as an illegal foreigner.
Last week, an application for his release on bail, in the deportation proceedings, was refused by magistrate Deon Oosthuysen in the Cape Town Regional Court. - Sapa
Cape Town
