A UK fugitive caught living the high life in South Africa has R1,5million to "vigorously fight" any proceedings to deport or extradite him, the Cape Town magistrate's court has heard.
During a bid to get bail for Darren Michael Finch, his lawyer Brendan Atkins said his client had R1,5million to fight both proceedings to deport or extradite him and for bail.
However, state advocate JC Gerber said: "Whether he has R1,5million or R10million is irrelevant. He is in this country as an illegal foreigner."
Finch, who used a false passport in the name of Mark Maine, was arrested at his rented home in Llandudno, a plush suburb on the Atlantic seaboard, where he had been living for 18 months with his wife and young children.
He fled to South Africa after his release on bail by the Leeds magistrate's court, where he faced charges of illegally importing and dealing in Class C medicines and money laundering.
His presence as an illegal foreigner came to light after an application by the British authorities for his extradition to UK. He was also found in possession of a second false passport, in the name of John Christopher Clarke.
Finch was charged with fraudulently obtaining a passport to travel in and out of South Africa under a false name.
Magistrate Grant Engel is expected to hand down judgment on the bail application on Thursday.
UK fugitive has R1,5m to fight against extradition
A UK fugitive caught living the high life in South Africa has R1,5million to "vigorously fight" any proceedings to deport or extradite him, the Cape Town magistrate's court has heard.
During a bid to get bail for Darren Michael Finch, his lawyer Brendan Atkins said his client had R1,5million to fight both proceedings to deport or extradite him and for bail.
However, state advocate JC Gerber said: "Whether he has R1,5million or R10million is irrelevant. He is in this country as an illegal foreigner."
Finch, who used a false passport in the name of Mark Maine, was arrested at his rented home in Llandudno, a plush suburb on the Atlantic seaboard, where he had been living for 18 months with his wife and young children.
He fled to South Africa after his release on bail by the Leeds magistrate's court, where he faced charges of illegally importing and dealing in Class C medicines and money laundering.
His presence as an illegal foreigner came to light after an application by the British authorities for his extradition to UK. He was also found in possession of a second false passport, in the name of John Christopher Clarke.
Finch was charged with fraudulently obtaining a passport to travel in and out of South Africa under a false name.
Magistrate Grant Engel is expected to hand down judgment on the bail application on Thursday.
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