A BOGUS property developer who fled to Spain in a private jet before he could be sentenced has received a further six months in prison.

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

On Friday, a judge added extra time to the sentence for the breach of bail.

Colwell's father Brian, 76, who was arrested with his son, was also given a further six months to be served consecutive to his initial sentence of two years and eight months in prison.

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

Such homes are zero-rated, which means developers can claim back VAT. In total, the Colwells and James claimed some ££965,421 over six years through companies Belgravia Construction Services South Ltd and Robert Lloyd Property Ltd.

However, following an investigation by HMRC, it was found the homes had never been built.

The defendants spent their money on a series of luxury purchases. Jamie Colwell rented a £2.8m seafront property in Old Coastguard Road, Sandbanks, and bought a speedboat and high-performance cars. James spent more than £100,000 on stabling, saddles and vet bills for her four horses, £40,000 on designer clothes and £38,000 on cars, including a Mercedes.

Jamie Colwell 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.

In May, 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 appeared at the crown court via prison video link shortly after their arrest.

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."

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.