A FATHER-OF-THREE who has spent nearly four years in a Filipino jail may have to stay behind bars if he is granted bail – because his parents cannot raise the cash. Kevin Taylor and his wife Charlene, who are accused of running an illegal employment racket, have been held on remand while prosecutors drag out their case.

The Adver told yesterday how the couple are being held in squalid conditions at San Mateo jail in Rizal, east of the country’s capital Manila.

They face two out of 25 original charges, and could be released on bail next month. But Kevin’s parents, Gerald and Marie Taylor, of Stratton, have already spent their life savings on the case, and would have to come up with £3,500 for their son’s bail alone.

North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson MP, who is supporting the family, said: “A few weeks ago I held a further meeting with Kevin’s father. “It’s clear that the continued delays in Kevin’s case are causing his parents considerable stress, not to mention how Kevin himself must be coping. As a result of our meeting, I made further high-level representations to the Foreign Office.

“We now know that all the charges against Kevin have been dropped, apart from two. “Court dates have been set for March 7 and 11 and the hope is that either the remaining cases will be dropped, or Kevin will be granted bail.

“If that is the case, a considerable amount of money needs to be raised for the bond, and I know that will cause difficulties.”

Kevin and Charlene, who have three daughters, ran a visa and travel consultancy in Manila.

They deny breaking laws in the Southeast Asian country which make it illegal to charge a fee to send workers abroad, but have not been able to challenge the allegations because complainants frequently fail to turn up in court

Mr Tomlinson said: “If the cases are delayed yet again, I am pleased that the Foreign Office has now agreed with me that an official note should go from London to Manila asking the Philippines government to have the cases dealt with as soon as possible.

“I will continue to support Mr and Mrs Taylor because this is an extremely difficult situation for them, but I am glad that we are now seeing some significant moves forward.”

Kevin’s parents have paid for legal fees along with food and medicine. His father, Gerald, said: “The sum of money we would have to pay would be about £3,500, and with Charlene as well that would total about £5,000.

“We have spent our life savings already and being pensioners we are really struggling. We just won’t be able to get the cash.”

Kevin, 47, is suffering from severe depression, skin problems and back pain.

He told in a letter to the Adver how he and his wife have been reduced to praying for help from the outside world to end their prison nightmare.