Author's sunken treasure ordeal has happy ending

A BEST-SELLING author became embroiled in a fantastical plot of her own after she and her 80-year-old husband were arrested in connection with a probe into treasure recovered from a sunken 18th-century frigate.

- Jon Austin

Gay Courter, 78, who wrote five New York Times chart-toppers, and husband Philip, a retired documentary-maker, were wanted for questioning in France.

They were facing charges connected to money laundering, receiving stolen goods and export of gold ingots they were given in 1986, but now claimed to be French property.

But on Wednesday, Westminster Magistrates' Court heard European Arrest Warrants had been withdrawn and the couple of “impeccable record and character” no longer face charges.