A BOGUS property developer who fled to Spain in a private plane ahead of a court sentencing hearing is finally behind bars.

Jamie Colwell, 51, started his sentence of five years and three months in prison yesterday for a £1 million scam.

His father Brian Colwell, 76, was arrested with his son. He is now serving a sentence of two years and eight months.

The pair, along with Jamie Colwell's ex-girlfriend Briony James, told HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) they had spent £14m building new properties.

New build homes are zero-rated, which means developers can claim back the VAT on them. The Colwells and James claimed £965,421 over six years through companies Belgravia Construction Services South Ltd and Robert Lloyd Property Ltd.

However, an investigation revealed the homes had never been built.

The defendants spent the money on their luxury lifestyles. Jamie Colwell rented a £2.8m seafront property in Old Coastguard Road, Sandbanks and bought a speedboat and high-performance cars, including a Porsche 911.

He admitted two counts of fraud to obtain payment of VAT credit, while his father, of Hares Road, Bournemouth, pleaded guilty to one count of acquiring criminal property.

James, 45 and of Bouverie Avenue South in Salisbury, admitted one count of fraud to obtain payment of VAT credit. She was jailed for 20 months

The men failed to turn up for sentence at Bournemouth Crown Court in January, and a warrant was issued for their arrest.

Earlier this month, they were captured in Spain. Jamie Colwell fled to France in a light aircraft, while his accomplice father escaped by a ferry travelling between Portsmouth and Caen.

Both then made their way to Spain.

HMRC investigators tracked them to a villa in Benidorm, where they were arrested by Guardia Civil officers on the evening of May 9.

The Colwells returned to the UK on Wednesday afternoon. They spent the night in custody and appeared at the crown court via prison video link yesterday.

Richard Wilkinson, assistant director of HMRC's Fraud Investigation Service, said: "The Colwells thought they could evade prison and use their criminal cash to fund a new life on the Costa Blanca but they were wrong.

"With close cooperation from our international law enforcement partners we tracked the fugitives down, so they can now look forward to jail instead.

"HMRC is determined to ensure absconders face justice. We will pursue those criminals who blatantly steal from the public services we all rely on, and look to recover the proceeds of their crimes from current and future wealth."

Judge Jonathan Fuller QC said a further sentencing hearing will take place in the future for the breach of bail.

An Oxfordshire man was arrested on May 2 on suspicion of assisting an offender and perverting the course of justice in connection with the Colwell's escape. He has been released under investigation and enquiries continue.