Jailed VAT fraudster in plea for transfer to Cyprus

A JAILED millionaire fraudster has demanded a transfer so he can spend the rest of his 11-year sentence near his family in Cyprus.

Michael Voudouri, 47, who was jailed twice for a massive carousel VAT fraud, has given up his fight to hold on to his £1.6m mansion in Scotland, believing it will seal the move.

He has told friends he expects to be in Cyprus by the end of summer, and that he could be a free man by the end of the year, just 18 months after having the punishing sentence imposed that should see him serve at least another four years.

Sources within the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) have confirmed a transfer request has been received. But the Crown Office, which wants to secure his mansion under proceeds of crime laws, insists no deal has been offered.

As Voudouri is a UK citizen, the SPS must confirm the Cypriot authorities would accept him before putting the case to Scottish Ministers.

A source added: “What normally happens is that the country receiving the prisoner will ensure he serves a sentence in keeping with what he would have got in their courts.

“He might not walk as soon as he thinks, but he could walk a lot earlier than he would if he were forced to remain here.”

The Crown Office is aware of Voudouri’s change of heart after a nine-year fight to keep his home in Bridge of Allan, Stirlingshire, but insists it has no role to play in any potential transfer, which would be “a matter for the SPS”.

Willie Rennie, leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, said: “He should not be moved without an assurance in place that he would serve the same term he would in Scotland.”

Voudouri settled with his family in Northern Cyprus, which has no extradition treaty with the UK, but was brought back in June last year.