This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-20959319

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Christopher Tappin jailed for 33 months in US arms case Christopher Tappin jailed for 33 months in US arms case
(about 1 hour later)
A retired British businessman who admitted selling weapon parts to Iran has been sentenced to 33 months in prison by a court in the US.A retired British businessman who admitted selling weapon parts to Iran has been sentenced to 33 months in prison by a court in the US.
Christopher Tappin, who was extradited from the UK last February, reached a deal with US prosecutors which led to him pleading guilty in November.Christopher Tappin, who was extradited from the UK last February, reached a deal with US prosecutors which led to him pleading guilty in November.
Tappin, 66, of south-east London, could have faced being jailed for 35 years.Tappin, 66, of south-east London, could have faced being jailed for 35 years.
At Tuesday's hearing in El Paso, Texas, Judge David Briones recommended he be allowed to serve his time in the UK.At Tuesday's hearing in El Paso, Texas, Judge David Briones recommended he be allowed to serve his time in the UK.
The final decision on whether Tappin can return to the UK to serve his sentence rests with the US Bureau of Prisons, a court spokeswoman said.The final decision on whether Tappin can return to the UK to serve his sentence rests with the US Bureau of Prisons, a court spokeswoman said.
Tappin, from Orpington, must turn himself in to start his sentence at the Allenwood prison in Pennsylvania by 8 March.Tappin, from Orpington, must turn himself in to start his sentence at the Allenwood prison in Pennsylvania by 8 March.
'Will be dreadful' Parole hopes
The retired businessman, who admitted one count of aiding and abetting the illegal export of defence articles, was also ordered to pay a fine of $11,357.14 (about £7,100). Speaking to journalists as he left court, Tappin said: "I have accepted the plea agreement offered by the US government and confirmed by the court today.
"As part of the agreement both the US government and the British government have promised to actively support my repatriation to Britain at the earliest opportunity.
"I look forward to returning home to be near my friends and family, and especially my sick wife."
Dan Cogdell, Tappin's lawyer, told the BBC his client was not in custody yet but was returning to his apartment in Houston.
He said Tappin would report for his sentence in about 60 days and that he wanted to be repatriated.
"He wants to be in Allenwood, Pennsylvania - that's the quickest way back to the UK," Mr Cogdell said.
"If all goes as planned he will be in Allenwood for approximately four months.
"And then once he gets repatriated back to the UK, once he gets transferred back there, we hope he'll get paroled almost immediately once he's in the UK."
The retired businessman, who pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and abetting the illegal export of defence articles, was also ordered to pay a fine of $11,357.14 (about £7,100).
He admitted that between December 2005 and January 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.He admitted that between December 2005 and January 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.
Following the sentencing Tappin's wife, Elaine, said she hoped he would have "the mental fortitude to cope with whatever lies before him in the months and years to come".Following the sentencing Tappin's wife, Elaine, said she hoped he would have "the mental fortitude to cope with whatever lies before him in the months and years to come".
Tappin's wife Elaine, who suffers from chronic illness Churg-Strauss Syndrome, was unable to attend the court hearing. Mrs Tappin, who suffers from the chronic illness Churg-Strauss syndrome, was unable to attend the court hearing.
Following the sentencing, she said: "Now I can begin to see light at the end of this long dark tunnel - but remain frustrated that Chris's extradition was granted in the first place. She said: "Now I can begin to see light at the end of this long dark tunnel, but remain frustrated that Chris's extradition was granted in the first place."
"Being returned to a US prison will be dreadful for him. He is learning to live with the regrets - it is a chastening experience after a 45-year unblemished business career.
"I'm hoping against hope that he'll have the mental fortitude to cope with whatever lies before him in the months and years to come."
She said she and the couple's son and daughter were touched by the "tremendous support" from friends and strangers alike.
"I pray that the US and UK authorities between them will expedite Chris's repatriation to Britain - so we, and his friends, are able to visit him in prison," she said.
'FBI sting''FBI sting'
Mrs Tappin vowed to lobby the government to change the law in favour of domestic prosecution over extradition. Mrs Tappin added: "Having seen first hand how the Extradition Act works in practice, I'm dismayed by the damage inflicted on defendants and those close to them.
She said: "Having seen first hand how the Extradition Act works in practice, I'm dismayed by the damage inflicted on defendants and those close to them.
"The cost is too often either unnecessary, disproportionate, or both."The cost is too often either unnecessary, disproportionate, or both.
"We cannot change what has happened to Chris, nor to those who have gone before him, but we can take steps to stop unwarranted extradition being imposed on others.""We cannot change what has happened to Chris, nor to those who have gone before him, but we can take steps to stop unwarranted extradition being imposed on others."
Tappin, the former director of Surrey-based Brooklands International Freight Services and the former president of Kent golf society, had 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. Tappin, the former director of Surrey-based Brooklands International Freight Services and the former president of Kent Golf Society, had 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 case followed an investigation which began in 2005 when US agents asked technology providers about buyers who might have caused suspicion.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.
Robert Gibson, a British associate of Tappin who agreed to co-operate, was jailed for 24 months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to export defence articles.Robert Gibson, a British 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 he and Tappin had long-standing commercial ties with Iranian customers.Gibson provided customs agents with about 16,000 computer files and emails indicating he and Tappin had long-standing commercial ties with Iranian customers.
American Robert Caldwell was found guilty of aiding and abetting the illegal transport of defence articles and served 20 months in prison.American Robert Caldwell was found guilty of aiding and abetting the illegal transport of defence articles and served 20 months in prison.