Most Wanted Criminal Arrested In Spain

Police in Spain have arrested Ronald Priestley, one of Britain's most wanted criminals. Skip related content

The 69-year-old is wanted over counterfeit money scams worth more than £4m.

He is currently being held in Malaga on a European Arrest Warrant, but could return to Britain to face charges within 10 days.

The arrest was made as part of Operation Captura, a police initiative to find people on the run in Spain who are wanted for crimes in the UK.

Priestley, wanted by West Yorkshire Police, is the 25th person arrested as a result of the operation.

The justice and home affairs attaché at the British Embassy in Spain, Robbie Bulloch, said: "This arrest is an important reminder that large scale fraud is a serious offence which does harm ordinary people.

"Thanks to a great public response to the Captura campaign, the pressure on criminals on the run in Spain is stronger than ever."

When he returns to Britain, Priestley could face up to 16 years in prison.

He has convictions for producing counterfeit goods dating back to 1994.

In 2002 he was sentenced to eight years in prison after police raided his home and factories in Huddersfield, finding thousands of bottles of fake perfume and Spanish sparkling wine re-labelled as champagne.

A confiscation order was then made to seize £2.2m worth of his assets, when it was discovered he was generating funds by making fake £20 notes.

Priestley disappeared after being granted bail in 2005, and in his absence, was convicted to a further eight years in prison at Leeds Crown Court.

Originating at uk.news.yahoo.com