A 61-year-old man has been extradited from Spain in connection with a £13.7m pension fraud prosecution being brought by The Pensions Regulator (TPR). 

Alan Barratt, of Brooklands, Burnham Rd, Althorne, Essex, was arrested in Alicante, Spain, recently under a European Arrest Warrant issued by Westminster Magistrates’ Court and then extradited to the UK. 

The TPR says it is the first time TPR has worked with the police to secure the extradition of a suspect. 

Mr Barratt appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Saturday (20 March) where he was released on conditional bail (including to remain in the UK and surrender his passport). 

The case was adjourned until 13 April when it is expected the case will be sent to the Crown Court for trial, says the TPR.  

Mr Barratt will appear with two other people who are also charged by The Pensions Regulator with fraud by abuse of position arising from their roles as trustees of pension schemes. 

TPR alleges that between 2012 and 2014, 245 savers were persuaded to transfer their pension savings totalling £13.7m into 11 pension schemes, controlled by the defendants. 

Mr Barratt’s co-defendants are Susan Dalton, 65, of Geneva Terrace, Rochdale, Greater Manchester and Julian Hanson 56, of Lea Road, Batley. 

Ms Dalton first appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 8 January having been arrested on warrant.  Ms Hanson appeared on summons on 29 January. None of the defendants have entered a plea.