A YORK plane-spotter cleared of spying at a Greek airbase is still waiting for thousands of pounds of bail money to be returned, it was revealed today.

Andy Jenkins, 33, of Barkston Avenue, Acomb, was among a group of 14 plane-spotters arrested on espionage charges near Kalamata airbase, Greece, in December 2001. The group, which included 12 Britons and two Dutch, spent five weeks in Greek jails, but paid about £9,000 each to be allowed to return home on bail.

At their trial in April last year six Britons and two Dutchmen were given three-year jail terms for spying while the others received one-year suspended sentences for aiding and abetting.

But the group insisted on its innocence and at an appeal hearing last November a panel of judges over-turned the convictions.

Mr Jenkins said the group were told each month they would receive the money the following month, but the Greek authorities keep putting it off.

"When it came to us getting out of prison back in December 2001 they wanted the money within 24 hours, but as soon as it comes to getting it back they are not bothered. There is a certain malaise among the Greek authorities. I would not be surprised if it takes another six months to get it back. It is a big chunk of money to be without," he said.

Mr Jenkins estimates that the one-week plane-spotting trip, organised by Mildenhall-based Touchdown Tours, has cost him a total £25,000 in legal costs and lost earnings.

He was among workers laid off when the now-closed York rail coach-builders Thrall Europa began to make workers redundant late last year.

Updated: 14:48 Tuesday, March 04, 2003