YORK air enthusiast Andy Jenkins touched down on British soil today as a convicted spy.

As the group of British plane spotters arrived back at Luton Airport after their flight from Athens, there was joy for those members who have been freed with suspended sentences.

But for the other seven, found guilty of spying, the welcome was muted, as both the plane spotters themselves and their relatives know they now face a gruelling appeal process which could take up to seven years and cost thousands of pounds.

Looking exhausted, the 12 Britons emerged into the arrivals lounge of the airport to face a vast press pack, and a small group of anxious relatives.

Andy, 32, of Acomb, was among the six Britons convicted of espionage after being arrested at a Greek air base last year. Six more were found guilty of aiding and abetting espionage and were given year-long sentences after a dramatic court case came to a chaotic end in Kalamata yesterday

Andy today said the evidence against the plane spotters was "manufactured" and the prosecution's reliance on a Dutch website document which said that taking serial numbers of planes in Greece was illegal, was "ludicrous".

He launched a withering attack on the Greek justice system, describing his case as "a manufactured mess, led by parochial people, in a parochial town."

Andy's thoughts turned immediately to his dad, Edwin, and seven-year-old daughter, Jessica.

"I had a word with the old man last night, and assured him I was feeling all right. I've also spoken to Jessica. I've told her, in diluted terms, what could happen. She's intelligent beyond her years and she knows the score. That's all I can hope for."

Andy said he wanted the appeal process to go on as long as possible, despite the fact that his legal bill will mount every day through the course of it.

"I want to be away from all this for as long as possible," he said. Meanwhile, back at her home in Bishopthorpe, York, Andy's sister, Adele Yon, said his ordeal in Greece had "torn apart" her family and their lives. Adele broke down in tears as she recalled how her happy memories of playing with Andy as a child had been blighted by the images of him in anguish and disbelief after he was found guilty of spying. She had reacted with shock and disbelief to news of the outcome of the trial.

"Now I see him on the telly looking like that, and it's left me broken-hearted. I'm disgusted," she said.

Updated: 12:53 Saturday, April 27, 2002