A UK pensioner faces a punishment of 360 lashes in Saudi Arabia after being caught with home-made wine.

Karl Andree, 74, has already spent over 12 months in a Saudi prison for his crime, but under the Saudi legal system, based on religious Sharia Law, he now faces flagellation.

Andree’s daughter, Kirsten Piroth, says her father was arrested by religious police in August 2014 after being caught transporting some home-made wine in his car.

Andree’s family had understood that he would only serve a prison term for his crime because of his age and poor health, but there is now a “question mark” over the issue and they fear he may not survive 360 lashes.

A Foreign Office spokesman said:

“Our embassy staff are continuing to assist Mr Andree, including regular visits to check on his welfare, and frequent contact with his lawyer and family.

“Ministers and senior officials have raised Mr Andree’s case with the Saudi government and we are actively seeking his release as soon as possible.”