Howes in bail bid as family faces losing home

A FATHER-OF-SIX facing extradition to the United States for allegedly exporting chemicals to make drugs today said he planned to launch a fresh bid for freedom after learning his house could be repossessed within weeks.

Brian Howes was remanded in custody at Saughton despite winning the right to take his extradition fight to the UK’s highest court in London. The 47-year-old was refused bail after the appeal court ruled that it was not satisfied Mr Howes would make himself available for extradition and ordered him to stay behind bars.

Now he is consulting with his lawyers to launch a new bail application after his wife received a letter advising that their house could be seized due to unpaid mortgage debts. Kerry Anne, 33, was released on bail to go home and care for their children after the couple’s case was referred to the Supreme Court in August.

Speaking from Saughton Prison, Mr Howes said: “I need to get out on bail to try to earn some money to save the house. We are facing losing everything.”

The family live in a £135,000 bungalow in Bo’ness, but have been left a year-and-a-half in arrears in mortgage payments.

The Howes maintain they ran a legitimate chemical business.

They lost a bid at the Court of Criminal Appeal in Edinburgh in July to stop them being sent to Arizona to face trial, but the same court later gave them leave to go to the Supreme Court.