A TOBACCO smuggler who went on the run after heading up a multi-million pound duty evasion scheme has had his prison sentence extended following his capture by police.

Douglas Allison, of Stranraer, absconded to Dubai after he was convicted of plotting to bring 13 million cigarettes into the UK.

He was sentenced to six and a half years in prison earlier this week in his absence, but was arrested as he stepped off a plane in the UK on Thursday night.

The 46-year-old admitted a number of bail offences which saw him jailed for a further four months.

Allison and fellow Scot Timothy Shaw, from Motherwell, were part of a four-man racket involved in the £2.7million duty evasion scheme. The pair used their illegal earnings to fund lavish lifestyles at the expense of the taxpayer.

Shaw, 50, who used his knowledge of the haulage industry to help organise the illegal shipments, was jailed for 21 months.

The pair were convicted at Maidstone Crown Court with Terence Crowhurst, 46, of East Sussex, and Russell Baker, 49, of Rugby. They were all found guilty of the fraudulent evasion of duty. Allison was also convicted of money laundering.

Sentencing Allison, Judge Michael Carroll said: "You were heavily involved in ensuring a successful organisation making high profits at the expense of the public."