Eight years and 800 lashes for drinking den Briton

A Briton accused of running an illegal drinking den in Saudi Arabia has been jailed for eight years and ordered to receive 800 lashes.

Gary O'Nions, 56, was also given a fine of approximately £400,000, (€654,000) the Foreign Office said.

It is understood that British officials did not find out about the sentencing until April 2 - the day after O'Nions faced Saudi authorities.

A spokesman said: "We can confirm that Gary O'Nions has been sentenced to eight years imprisonment and 800 lashes on alcohol related charges."

Mr O'Nions fled to Dubai before being extradited to Saudi Arabia last March.

Several Britons still face bombing charges in Saudi Arabia having been accused of involvement in a turf war between rival bootleggers.

In November 2000, Briton Christopher Rodway was killed by a car bomb in the Saudi capital, Riyadh.