The Channel Islands diver who set off a three-day £250,000 air and sea search after faking a diving accident in September has avoided facing a criminal prosecution, according to a report in the Guernsey Press & Star.

Matthew Harvey, 35, had gone off solo-diving and when a yacht picked him up three days later claimed to have survived for two nights on rocks off the island. But it turned out that he had crossed to the UK by ferry over the weekend and slipped back into the water on his return to back up his story. He was unaware that he had been spotted while on the ferry.

"Following a thorough police inquiry and the submission of a file to the law officers of the Crown, it has been decided that with the evidence presently available, no criminal proceedings are being considered in the matter at this time," said Guernsey's Chief of Police. The police refused to comment on why no charges had been brought.

St Peter Port Harbourmaster Captain Peter Gill, who co-ordinated the rescue attempts, said: "Given the information we had at the time and the way we had it, we would do exactly the same thing again."

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