Bid to extradite guilty fraudster

Police are to seek the extradition of a businessman found guilty in his absence of cheating customers of his holiday and travel companies.

David Oakley was convicted at Shrewsbury Crown Court of 14 offences including fraudulent trading and using forged cheques.

The 61-year-old said he was too ill to leave his home in Spain for the trial.

Oakley, whose UK address is Alexandra Court, Shrewsbury, was jailed for three years and nine months in his absence.

The court was told he had cheated customers who he had sold timeshares and holiday club memberships to.

The jury heard he netted about £100,000 through his illegal activities.

A West Mercia Police spokeswoman said: "Detectives will now continue to work with various agencies, including the Spanish police and Britain's Serious and Organised Crime Agency (SOCA), to extradite him to serve his sentence."