Oakley health delays extradition

The extradition from France of convicted Shropshire conman David Oakley has been postponed because of his poor health.

The 62-year-old fraudster was moved to a prison at Bordeaux last week where he was being held in the hospital wing.

It emerged today the French authorities have been forced to delay the extradition process until Oakley is deemed well enough to attend court.

The decision followed another brief hearing at the Court of Appeal in Bordeaux this week.

Oakley, formerly of Salters Lane, Shrewsbury, had complained of feeling unwell while in custody in Poitiers after his arrest in nearby Melle on April 3.

West Mercia Police were aware Oakley had been travelling north to France from his bolthole on Spain's Costa Blanca and was renting a house at Melle.

Oakley, who has been on the run for four years, has claimed ill health prevented him travelling back to the UK to face his trial.

It was held in his absence at Shrewsbury Crown Court in September when he was jailed for three years and nine months and will go straight to prison on his return to the UK.

Oakley was convicted of a series of frauds and deceptions involving travel companies based at offices in Frankwell, Shrewsbury.

Meanwhile, a woman believed to be his wife Amanda, who was also arrested by the French police, is awaiting extradition in connection with allegations of obtaining money by deception. The woman, whose identity is unconfirmed, remains in custody in Poitiers.