Mining engineer in Gambia escape

Mr Northfield says he has no intention of returning to Africa

A British engineer who was accused of illegal mining in Gambia and had his passport confiscated is back in the UK after a "terrifying" escape.

Charlie Northfield, 48, from Plymouth, Devon, was working for Carnegie Minerals when he was arrested and jailed in February.

He was later released on bail, but held under virtual house arrest.

His escape was masterminded by a former army officer and included swimming across a "raging torrent" of a river.

Mr Northfield, who was accused of illegally mining titanium, iron ore and uranium, said the charges were "trumped up".

It's been a bit of an ordeal Charlie Northfield

"There were four charges - three of economic crimes against Gambia and one of theft," he told BBC News.

During his week in jail, Mr Northfield had to share a cell with six other people, including men accused of murder and drug offences.

After being released, he was watched constantly by the Gambian authorities.

"It's not a pleasant experience knowing people are watching you," he said.

"I was being watched all the time in the hotel, my phone was being listened to and all my movements carefully monitored."

Mr Northfield's daring escape, planned by friend and security expert Martin MacGowan-Scanlon, also involved a tyre blow-out during a taxi journey and avoiding armed police and checkpoints by walking through hostile terrain and rough bush tracks before crossing the river to Senegal.

Flags fly outside the family home in Plymouth

"I was to wade across the river, which was supposed to be knee-deep, but it was a raging torrent, so I had to strip off and swim for it," he said.

If the engineer had been caught during the escape, he would have almost certainly have faced an indefinite jail term.

Flags have been flying outside his mother Pamela's home in Plymouth, since his return on Monday.

"I'm just extremely relieved and very happy to be out of the Gambia," Mr Northfield said.

"It's been a bit of an ordeal for me and even worse for my family."

However, he will be unable to return to his wife and three children in Phuket, Thailand, until he is issued with a replacement British passport.

Charges denied

When Mr Northfield does return to Thailand, he will be looking for work nearer home.

"I'll be drawing a line under the Gambia and I don't intend to return to Africa," he added.

His employer, Carnegie Minerals, has strenuously denied all the charges brought by the Gambian government.

It has operated in The Gambia since 1999, digging mineral sands which are then sent to China for use in construction.

A spokesman for Carnegie Minerals, which put up the £129,000 bail for Mr Northfield, said the company was unable to comment on his return to Britain.