Spain set to extradite murder suspect

A British man accused of murdering a woman 17 years ago is expected to be extradited from Spain in the next six weeks.

Kent police have made an application to extradite Keith Cottingham, 69, on suspicion of the parcel bomb murder of 53-year-old Barbara Harrold, in May 1984.

Mr Cottingham was arrested by Spanish police at his villa on the Costa Blanca on Friday.

He has always denied any involvement in the bombing at Mrs Harrold's £1m home in Ightham, near Sevenoaks, Kent.

It normally takes five to six weeks before the case comes up but there is a possibility that he may waive his right and come back sooner

Kent Police

A Kent police spokesman said: "This has been going on for 17 years and this is the beginning of the process.

"He was arrested on Friday following an application by Kent Police and has appeared in court.

"It normally takes five to six weeks before the case comes up but there is a possibility that he may waive his right and come back sooner."

Mrs Harrold received a gift-wrapped bomb containing air gun pellets and parts of fireworks which exploded in her face. She died three days later.

Most wanted

The arrest by Spanish police comes after changes to extradition rules mean that he can now be sent back to the UK.

Mr Cottingham bought a villa from the victim and then moved to Spain with his wife and two children.

He has refused to voluntarily return to the UK to answer the accusations of murder and has avoided attempts to be extradited.

Mr Cottingham is in custody at Denia, near Benidorm, on Spain's south-eastern coast following his arrest at his villa in the hamlet of Jesus Pobre.

Suffers from diabetes

It is expected that Mr Cottingham will be transferred to Madrid in the next few days for extradition proceedings at the National Criminal Court.

His name was included on a list of Britain's most wanted men by the Home Office.

This was sent to the Spanish Justice Minister several years after the killing.

Mr Cottingham now suffers from diabetes and a form of leukaemia.