SFO backs down on Anderson bail

DAVID HELLIER

The Serious Fraud Office yesterday backed down in its attempt to block bail for Donald Anderson, the former finance director of the Brent Walker subisidary Goldcrest who returned to the country after an absence of almost three years to face police charges.

Mr Anderson's solicitor, Michael Coleman of Harkavys, who successfully represented George Walker in his trial, appeared for his client yesterday and was awarded costs by Judge Levy. Mr Anderson will stay in custody until the formalities of his bail are sorted out.

Mr Anderson returned to the country earlier this week to give himself up voluntarily to the SFO, which has charged him on eight counts involving a total of pounds 31.8m. Mr Coleman said that he had returned to the country to face charges because he "wanted to get the whole thing over and done with".

On Tuesday Mr Anderson volunteered several conditions for his bail , including sureties of pounds 150,000, the surrender of his passport and an offer to report to the police twice a day.

The SFO said yesterday it would stick with the conditions, which are relatively stringent.