Murder suspect on verge of extradition

Keith Cottingham lived on the Costa Blanca

A suspect in the murder of a woman almost 20 years ago is to be extradited to Britain from Spain after years of legal wrangling.

Kent Police said Keith Cottingham was being brought to the UK for questioning over the parcel bomb murder of 53-year-old grandmother Barbara Harrold.

Mr Cottingham, 71, has always denied any involvement with the murder, which took place in 1984 at Mrs Harrold's home in Ightham, near Sevenoaks, Kent.

He was arrested by Spanish police at his villa on the Costa Blanca 13 months ago and is due to appear in Maidstone Magistrates' Court on Friday.

Parcel bomb

His extradition was finally approved by the Spanish authorities, who have signed surrender papers allowing him to be brought back to the UK.

The police and Home Office would not confirm detailed timings of the extradition.

But a Maidstone court spokesman confirmed he was expected to appear on Friday.

Mrs Harrold died three days after a gift-wrapped bomb containing air gun pellets, nails and parts of fireworks exploded as she opened it.

Most wanted

Mr Cottingham moved to Spain with his wife and two children after buying a villa from Mrs Harrold.

He had resisted extradition attempts, and refused to return to Britain voluntarily.

Spanish police arrested Mr Cottingham last year following changes to extradition rules.

He lost an appeal against extradition in April and again in July.

The Home Office included his name on a list of Britain's most wanted men sent to the Spanish justice minister several years after the murder of Mrs Harrold.