1. London
  2. 3 updates

Tappin returns to UK prison

Christopher Tappin who was sent to prison in the US for arms dealing has reportedly returned to the UK to serve the remainder of his sentence.

Live updates

Arms dealer returns to London prison

Christopher Tappin was extradited last year and pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting the illegal export of defence articles Credit: Lewis Whyld/PA Wire

The lawyer representing Christopher Tappin, a British businessman who was jailed in the United States for arms dealing, has confirmed that he is now at Wandsworth prison and will serve the remainder of his sentence in the UK.

Christopher Tappin in February 2012 arriving at Heathrow to be extradited Credit: Sean Dempsey/PA Wire

Karen Todner told the BBC: "For six weeks while his repatriation was being approved, he was moved to the Metropolitan Correctional Centre in New York, a prison which is teeming with rats and run by gangs.

Mr Tappin is an upstanding, proud man and he told me he just tried to stay in the background there. After that, his hands and feet were shackled while he was taken to JFK Airport to be flown home. His family are relieved he is back, particularly as he suffers chest problems."

Christopher Tappin and his wife Elaine at Heathrow in 2012 Credit: Sean Dempsey/PA Wire

The former president of the Kent Golf Union was originally thought to have faced up to 35 years in jail if found guilty. He fought against his extradition, taking his case all the way to the European Court of Human Rights.

After denying attempting to sell batteries for surface-to-air missiles, he later admitted that, between 2005 and 2007, he knowingly aided and abetted others in an illegal attempt to export zinc/silver oxide reserve batteries, a special component of the Hawk Air Defence Missile, to Iran.

  1. National

Tappin's US prison 'teeming with rats and run by gangs'

The lawyer of Christopher Tappin, who was jailed in the US for arms dealing, said the British businessman had to endure a prison that was "teeming with rats and run by gangs".

Karen Todner, who appeared to confirm his return to the UK, told the BBC:

For six weeks while his repatriation was being approved, he was moved to the Metropolitan Correctional Centre in New York, a prison which is teeming with rats and run by gangs.

Mr Tappin is an upstanding, proud man and he told me he just tried to stay in the background there.

After that, his hands and feet were shackled while he was taken to JFK Airport to be flown home. His family are relieved he is back, particularly as he suffers chest problems.

– Karen Todner

Advertisement

  1. National

Briton jailed in US over arms dealing 'returns to UK'

A British businessman who was sent to prison in the US for arms dealing has reportedly returned to the UK to serve the remainder of his sentence.

Christopher Tappin has reportedly been allowed to return to the UK. Credit: Sean Dempsey/PA Wire

Read: Christopher Tappin jailed for arms exports

Christopher Tappin was extradited last year and pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and abetting the illegal export of defence articles.

He was sentenced to 33 months in prison and fined $11,357 (£7,095) in January after a so-called plea bargain with US prosecutors.

US District Judge David Briones recommended that Tappin, from Orpington, Kent, should be allowed to serve his sentence in the UK.

Back to top