Solicitor held in Thailand

A British solicitor was yesterday under arrest in Thailand for allegedly defrauding pounds 18m in mortgage funds.

Robert Paul Atkin, 46, from Luton, fled abroad in 1992 following a fraud squad inquiry into his conveyancing work. He was arrested following a request from the British Embassy on behalf of British police seeking his extradition. Bedfordshire Police confirmed a warrant had been issued for his arrest for deception in 1992.