Mold man Paul Wright avoids Greek crash extradition

A Flintshire man involved in a car crash in Greece in 2003 will not face extradition for a crime he says he did not commit.

Paul Wright, 34, of Mold was on holiday in Malia, Crete, when he says he was a passenger in a car belonging to a Greek barman which crashed.

He was arrested in March after being convicted in his absence by a Greek court of joyriding and criminal damage.

He has now won an extradition hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court.

Mr Wright had faced either a £3,500 fine or a 15-month prison sentence in the country.

But Judge Mike Snow discharged him from the court, saying he was not satisfied the father-of-two had deliberately absented himself from the Greek proceedings.

He also criticised the "appalling" delay between the minor crash and officers turning up at Mr Wright's door in north Wales more than a decade later.

"There has been no explanation for the delay of three years between the offending and his conviction, the further delay of three years before the European arrest warrant was issued or the further delay of six years before it was sent to the UK authorities."

The prosecution has seven days in which to appeal against the decision.

Mr Wright was released on conditional bail pending a decision on appeal which will be heard next Tuesday at the same court.

Speaking outside court, Mr Wright said: "I've been through the depression, I've been through the shock, I've been through the anxiety, I've been through the stress, and now I've come out the other side and I've found a voice, and that voice has allowed me to speak up about it and get people involved, because it's not just me it's happening to."

Mr Wright's lawyer, Sean Caulfield, of Hodge Jones and Allen, said they were "delighted" with the court's decision.

Earlier, Mr Wright said this was only the first stage of his fight.

He now has to make sure his conviction in absentia does not affect his ability to travel within Europe.

Mr Wright claims his friend crashed the car, ran off and left him to explain the damage.

His case was supported by Delyn MP David Hanson, who said it was unfair for a person to be convicted in their absence with no opportunity to defend themselves.

Mr Wright is also urging the UK government to change the way it reviews European arrest warrants.

He said countries like Greece were using the threat of prison to force foreigners convicted in their absence to pay large fines.