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Retired Northampton couple face extradition to US Retired Northampton couple face extradition to US
(35 minutes later)
A retired British couple who attempted to take their own lives are to be extradited to the US on Wednesday, their solicitors have said.A retired British couple who attempted to take their own lives are to be extradited to the US on Wednesday, their solicitors have said.
Grandparents Paul and Sandra Dunham were taken to hospital last Thursday after they took a drug overdose the night before they were due to hand themselves in to police ahead of being taken to US marshals at Heathrow Airport. Grandparents Paul and Sandra Dunham were taken to hospital last Thursday after they took a drug overdose the night before they were due to hand themselves in to police ahead of being taken to US marshals at Heathrow airport.
The couple, both 58, were remanded in custody at Westminster magistrates' court on Friday after senior district Judge Howard Riddle concluded they had taken the drugs deliberately to avoid or delay their extradition to face fraud charges. The couple, both 58, were remanded in custody at Westminster magistrates court on Friday after senior district judge Howard Riddle concluded they had taken the drugs deliberately to avoid or delay their extradition to face fraud charges.
Kaim Todner solicitors confirmed that the couple are set to be extradited to Maryland. Kaim Todner solicitors confirmed that the couple were set to be extradited to Maryland.
It is understood Mr Dunham is in Wandsworth prison, while Mrs Dunham is in HMP Holloway. It is understood Mr Dunham is in Wandsworth prison, while his wife is in HMP Holloway.
The couple lost a high court battle last month against extradition to stand trial over fraud charges relating to Mr Dunham's company, Pace.The couple lost a high court battle last month against extradition to stand trial over fraud charges relating to Mr Dunham's company, Pace.
Mr Dunham, who was chief executive, president and a 20% shareholder in the US company which manufactured soldering irons for the electronics industry, was indicted on 13 counts of fraud and money laundering by a grand jury in Greenbelt, Maryland, in December 2011. Mr Dunham, who was chief executive, president and a 20% shareholder in the US company that manufactured soldering irons for the electronics industry, was indicted on 13 counts of fraud and money-laundering by a grand jury in Greenbelt, Maryland, in December 2011.
Mrs Dunham is accused of eight counts of fraud for allegedly aiding and abetting him. The couple deny any wrongdoing.Mrs Dunham is accused of eight counts of fraud for allegedly aiding and abetting him. The couple deny any wrongdoing.
Journalists due to take a statement outside the Dunhams' property in Northampton last Thursday alerted police when the couple did not answer the door.Journalists due to take a statement outside the Dunhams' property in Northampton last Thursday alerted police when the couple did not answer the door.
Officers forced the door open and contacted paramedics, who arrived in two ambulances and took the couple to Northampton general hospital, where they spent the night. Officers forced open the door and contacted paramedics, who arrived in two ambulances and took the couple to Northampton general hospital, where they spent the night.
The couple's solicitor Karen Todner said she believed the extradition would happen on Wednesday. The couple's solicitor Karen Todner said she believed the extradition would take place on Wednesday.
She added: "Mr and Mrs Dunham are a hard-working couple from Northamptonshire who strenuously deny the allegations against them. Nevertheless this country is forcibly sending them to America to face trial in a justice system where plea arrangements are effectively forced upon people.She added: "Mr and Mrs Dunham are a hard-working couple from Northamptonshire who strenuously deny the allegations against them. Nevertheless this country is forcibly sending them to America to face trial in a justice system where plea arrangements are effectively forced upon people.
"I understand David Cameron has recently stated that the Abu Hamza conviction shows that we ought to be extraditing people to America with greater expedition. What in fact this case shows is that Mr Abu Hamza should have stood trial in the United Kingdom and faced British justice."I understand David Cameron has recently stated that the Abu Hamza conviction shows that we ought to be extraditing people to America with greater expedition. What in fact this case shows is that Mr Abu Hamza should have stood trial in the United Kingdom and faced British justice.
"How many people like Mr and Mrs Dunham have to be extradited before this government will uphold the promises they made whilst in opposition to change this treaty with America?""How many people like Mr and Mrs Dunham have to be extradited before this government will uphold the promises they made whilst in opposition to change this treaty with America?"