Fugitive UK man in more hot water
28 July 2010, 16:35
By Jade Witten
Court Reporter
The state intends adding at least two additional charges, of fraud and money laundering, in the case against a British fugitive accused of contravening the Immigrations Act in South Africa.
Darren Finch, who is applying for bail in the Cape Town Magistrate's Court, already faces three charges relating to entering, living and allegedly conducting business in the country with a fake identity.
Finch, 39, and his family had been living in Llandudno for about 18 months at the time of his arrest on July 9.
Colonel Abraham Jooste, of the Hawks, along with other officers acting on an Interpol warrant, conducted a search and seizure at the house.
Finch skipped bail in the UK, where he was charged with drug smuggling and money laundering. He was arrested in the UK in November 2007.
Jooste told the court yesterday he was investigating fraud charges related to Finch purchasing two vehicles using the fraudulent name of Mark Mayne.
Police confiscated two fake passports registered in the name of Mayne and John Clarke at his home during the search and seizure. Both passports bore Finch's picture.
Jooste said he was also investigating illegal business contracts Finch entered into using the name Mayne.
A confiscated business card indicated Mayne was one of the owners of a popular supper and dance club in the CBD.
Finch also stands accused of misrepresenting himself as Mayne when he entered and lived in the country, and of using a fake passport.
Finch's temporary residence permit registered under Mayne expired on July 14, the day he first applied for bail in the Cape Town Regional Court.
The current bail application was due to continue today.
Court Reporter
The state intends adding at least two additional charges, of fraud and money laundering, in the case against a British fugitive accused of contravening the Immigrations Act in South Africa.
Darren Finch, who is applying for bail in the Cape Town Magistrate's Court, already faces three charges relating to entering, living and allegedly conducting business in the country with a fake identity.
Finch, 39, and his family had been living in Llandudno for about 18 months at the time of his arrest on July 9.
Colonel Abraham Jooste, of the Hawks, along with other officers acting on an Interpol warrant, conducted a search and seizure at the house.
Finch skipped bail in the UK, where he was charged with drug smuggling and money laundering. He was arrested in the UK in November 2007.
Jooste told the court yesterday he was investigating fraud charges related to Finch purchasing two vehicles using the fraudulent name of Mark Mayne.
Police confiscated two fake passports registered in the name of Mayne and John Clarke at his home during the search and seizure. Both passports bore Finch's picture.
Jooste said he was also investigating illegal business contracts Finch entered into using the name Mayne.
A confiscated business card indicated Mayne was one of the owners of a popular supper and dance club in the CBD.
Finch also stands accused of misrepresenting himself as Mayne when he entered and lived in the country, and of using a fake passport.
Finch's temporary residence permit registered under Mayne expired on July 14, the day he first applied for bail in the Cape Town Regional Court.
The current bail application was due to continue today.
- This article was originally published on page 6 of The Cape Argus on July 28, 2010
Pretoria
