YORK planespotter Andy Jenkins has refused to settle out of court in a long-running dispute over bail money paid into a Greek court hearing his case.

He is one of nine planespotters whose convictions were quashed on appeal in November 2002, and who have been fighting to get their bail money returned.

The Greek judicial authorities have failed to hand back the money - which amounts to around £9,200 each - because one of the group's defence lawyers has claimed the nine owe him around 3,500 euros (£2,370) each.

It emerged yesterday that seven of the nine had now reached an out-of-court settlement to pay the lawyer 2,000 euros apiece, but Mr Jenkins is one of those still pressing ahead with the case, due to be heard in Athens today.

Mr Jenkins was unavailable for comment, but Steve Rush, of Caterham, Surrey, who is also continuing to contest the lawyer's claim, said: "I am being demanded money which I never agreed to pay."

The 12 British planespotters and two Dutchmen travelling with them were arrested in 2001. Six of the Britons and the Dutchmen were found guilty of spying and sentenced to three years in jail, but the convictions were later overturned.

Updated: 10:45 Wednesday, February 11, 2004