Further delays are stopping a Witney man, trapped in the Middle East for nearly two years, from coming home.

As reported in the late edition of November 27's Oxford Mail, businessman Jonathan Brown has been told that an appeal into his case will be heard by the Supreme Court in Oman on Christmas Day.

The 55-year-old had yesterday hoped to force the issue on what he considers to be his illegal detention by boarding a plane back to Britain.

Instead, he was summoned to a meeting with Judge Al Maamani, head of the commercial section of the Omani Supreme Court, along with representatives from the British Embassy.

He was told that all aspects of his case would be reviewed at an appeal hearing.

Mr Brown has been unable to pay a £10,000 fine imposed by a civil court arising from a business project set up under a joint British and Omani development programme.

The ban on him leaving the country prevented him attending the funeral of his mother, who died in May.

His sister Serena Martin, of Woodstock Road, Witney, said: "We obviously will not now be seeing Jonathan for Christmas, but we have not given up hope."

Mr Brown and his second wife Maryette have been living with friends while pursuing their legal battle to leave Oman.

He has four children from his first marriage, aged 22, 20, 17 and 15, who he has not seen for more than three years.