British pensioner released after US Attorney admits mistake

A British pensioner who was imprisoned in South Africa after the FBI mistook him for a dangerous fugitive conman has been released from custody, the British High Commission said today.

Derek Bond, aged 72 from Bristol, was freed from the police station in Durban where he was held for two weeks after being arrested during a holiday.

His release, confirmed by High Commission spokesman Nick Sheppard, came after the US Attorney's Office admitted: "We got the wrong man."

The FBI arrested the real fugitive, suspected of fraud and money laundering, in Las Vegas last night.

Agents had been hunting a suspect known by the names of Derek Bond and Derek Lloyd Sykes, who had the same date of birth and passport number as the retired businessman.

The Interpol website said the wanted man "may be dangerous" and listed his offences as property conspiracy, fraud conspiracy and money laundering.

Mr Bond's family insisted he was a victim of identity theft. He was detained while on holiday with his wife of 50 years, Audrey.

She said today that she was "over the moon. I'm absolutely delighted. I can't tell you. It's absolutely marvellous."

His youngest son Richard said he was "delighted" at the news but expressed concern over the FBI investigation.

"The news is a great relief to us.I don't know what's going on with the FBI. The story that we are hearing is very odd. There are issues that we should all be very concerned about," he saiad.