Brit ‘conman’ Mark Acklom arrives back in Britain and is charged with 20 counts of fraud after years on run in Europe

ONE of Britain’s most wanted fugitives is now back in the country after being on the run for years.

Mark Acklom, 46, was captured by Swiss cops in a dramatic raid in 2018 after being accused of swindling a woman out of her life savings.

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Acklom was flown back to Britain from Geneva, appearing at Bristol Magistrates’ Court yesterday where he was charged with 20 counts of fraud and deception.

He is accused of 12 offences of converting or removing criminal property and eight of fraud by false representation.

Looking sun-tanned and wearing a grey hoodie, white T-shirt and jeans, the bearded Acklom was flanked by two prison officers as he declined to enter any plea to the eight counts of fraud and 12 of deception.

Magistrate Louise Perkins said the matters were so serious that his case should be sent to crown court.

He was remanded in custody. He will next appear at Bristol Crown Court on March 25.

Outside court, Chief Inspector Gary Haskins said: “No matter where suspected criminals are in the world we will always do everything we can to track them down and bring them back to the UK to face justice.

“This extradition would not have been possible without the support of all our law enforcement partners and I’m extremely grateful for their assistance in helping us bring Acklom home to answer some very serious charges.”

Ian Cruxton, Head of International Operations for the NCA, said: “We have worked closely with our partners in Switzerland and Avon and Somerset Police to bring about this extradition and put Mark Acklom before the UK courts.

“This case once again demonstrates our ability to track down fugitives wherever they may be. The NCA’s international reach means there is no safe place to hide for individuals wanted in the UK.”

BACK IN BRITAIN

Acklom was tracked down to a luxury apartment in Zurich in July last year.

He fought extradition back to the UK after his arrest.

It had been thought he was living in Spain as his wife is Spanish and he had been learning the language.

Avon & Somerset Police began investigating him after divorcee Carolyn Woods, 61, alleged he posed as an MI6 agent and a Swiss banker during their year-long relationship.

She claims he tricked her into lending him her £850,000 savings for renovation work at a number of properties in Bath.

A European Arrest Warrant was obtained and Acklom was publicised under the National Crime Agency's Operation Captura as one of Britain's 96 most wanted criminals living abroad.

Ian Cruxton, head of international operations for the NCA, said: "We have worked closely with our partners in Switzerland and Avon and Somerset Police to bring about this extradition and put Mark Acklom before the UK courts.

"This case once again demonstrates our ability to track down fugitives wherever they may be.

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"The NCA's international reach means there is no safe place to hide for individuals wanted in the UK."

Acklom was on the run for two years after a European Arrest Warrant was issued for him in June, 2016.

A spokesperson from the Home Office told The Sun Online: "We can confirm that Mark Acklom has been extradited to the UK from Switzerland to face charges of fraud.”

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