Jailed tourist 'home by Christmas'

Mr Sloan was visiting his mother in Tenerife when he was arrested

A man jailed in Tenerife for an armed robbery he says he did not commit could be home by Christmas, according to his MP.

George Howarth made the announcement on Wednesday after he and Kevan Sloan's father Tommy, from Merseyside, met Spanish justice officials.

Mr Howarth, MP for Knowsley North and Sefton East, got involved after doubt was raised over evidence that saw Mr Sloan jailed for armed robbery in 2001.

During the meeting in Madrid on Tuesday, Spain's most senior judge reportedly said Mr Sloan should be back in the UK by the end of the year.

Mr Sloan's father Tommy said the meeting with Fernandez Shaw was very positive.

He told BBC Radio Merseyside: "Fernandez Shaw seems a very genuine person.

'Travel restrictions'

"The gentleman did himself make the comment that he'd like to see Kevan with his family for Christmas, if not sooner."

Mr Sloan was originally arrested during a visit to see his mother, who lives on Tenerife.

He was convicted of one armed robbery, after initially being accused of four offences.

Mr Howarth said: "As I understand it, what they are proposing is that [Mr Sloan] can come back home, and the only condition would be that he wouldn't be able to travel outside the UK.

CCTV evidence

"That is a problem as his mother lives on Tenerife, but of all the various options available it's the one that's by far the most attractive."

He was acquitted of three charges after testifying during his trial that he was not on the island when the robberies were committed.

But a witness of the fourth robbery told the trial the offender spoke fluent Spanish, which Mr Sloan is unable to do.

Mr Sloan also did not match the description of the robber shown by the shop's CCTV camera.