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Christopher Tappin pleads guilty over weapons charges Christopher Tappin pleads guilty over weapons charges
(about 1 hour later)
A retired London businessman has pleaded guilty in a US court to selling weapons parts to Iran. A retired businessman from south-east London has pleaded guilty in a US court to selling parts for surface-to-air missiles to Iran.
Christopher Tappin, 66, made the plea at a court in El Paso, Texas, in an agreement with US prosecutors. Christopher Tappin, 66, made the plea at a hearing in El Paso, Texas, in an agreement with US prosecutors and is due to be sentenced on 9 January.
He is due to be sentenced on 9 January for selling parts for surface-to-air missiles. His plea calls for a 33-month sentence which prosecutors have said they would not oppose him serving in the UK.
His guilty plea calls for a 33-month sentence which prosecutors have said they would not oppose him serving in the UK. His wife said it was the "beginning of the end" of the family's ordeal.
'Beginning of process' 'Back on home soil'
His wife Elaine, 62, said it was the "beginning of the end" of the family's ordeal. Tappin, from Orpington, has been on bail since being extradited to the US in February.
Tappin, of Orpington, south-east London, has been on bail since being extradited to the US in February. After the hearing his wife Elaine, 62, said: "My overwhelming feeling remains one of anxiety and sadness.
In an interview last week Mrs Tappin said "however upsetting" the plea deal was, it marked the beginning of the process to get him home. "However, at last I dare hope that Chris will be back on home soil next year.
Mrs Tappin said: "From the moment Chris was put on a plane all we ever wanted was his swift and safe return." "I feel we are getting to the beginning of the end.
"It has been a very difficult time for us all and one that would have been infinitely harder had we not received such warm support from friends and strangers alike.
"For that I shall always remain extremely grateful."
Tappin is the principal carer for his wife of 30 years, who has the chronic lung condition Churg-Strauss syndrome.
The former president of the Kent Golf Union and former director of Surrey-based Brooklands International Freight Services previously denied attempting to sell batteries for surface-to-air missiles that were to be shipped from the US to Tehran via the Netherlands, saying he was the victim of an FBI sting.The former president of the Kent Golf Union and former director of Surrey-based Brooklands International Freight Services previously denied attempting to sell batteries for surface-to-air missiles that were to be shipped from the US to Tehran via the Netherlands, saying he was the victim of an FBI sting.
He had pleaded not guilty but changed his plea earlier in an agreement with US prosecutors.He had pleaded not guilty but changed his plea earlier in an agreement with US prosecutors.
Tappin had faced up to 35 years in jail.Tappin had faced up to 35 years in jail.
The case followed an investigation, which began in 2005 when US agents asked technology providers about buyers who might have raised red flags. The case followed an investigation, which began in 2005 when US agents asked technology providers about buyers who might have caused suspicion.
Those customers were then approached by undercover companies set up by government agencies.Those customers were then approached by undercover companies set up by government agencies.
'Jury and executioner''Jury and executioner'
Briton Robert Gibson, an associate of Tappin who agreed to co-operate, was jailed for 24 months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to export defence articles.Briton Robert Gibson, an associate of Tappin who agreed to co-operate, was jailed for 24 months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to export defence articles.
Gibson provided customs agents with about 16,000 computer files and emails indicating that he and Tappin had long-standing commercial ties with Iranian customers.Gibson provided customs agents with about 16,000 computer files and emails indicating that he and Tappin had long-standing commercial ties with Iranian customers.
American Robert Caldwell was also found guilty of aiding and abetting the illegal transport of defence articles and served 20 months in prison.American Robert Caldwell was also found guilty of aiding and abetting the illegal transport of defence articles and served 20 months in prison.
Plea bargaining is common in the US, with defendants often able to secure a more lenient sentence if they admit an offence and co-operate with prosecutors, rather than contest the charges in a trial.Plea bargaining is common in the US, with defendants often able to secure a more lenient sentence if they admit an offence and co-operate with prosecutors, rather than contest the charges in a trial.
But other extradited Britons - including so-called NatWest Three banker David Bermingham, who was jailed for 37 months over an Enron-related fraud in a plea deal four years ago - have claimed the system empowers prosecutors as "judge, jury and executioner".But other extradited Britons - including so-called NatWest Three banker David Bermingham, who was jailed for 37 months over an Enron-related fraud in a plea deal four years ago - have claimed the system empowers prosecutors as "judge, jury and executioner".