Toby Robyns could be ‘missing’ in Turkey

Toby Robyns, 52, (pictured) was arrested at Milas-Bodrum Airport after he found 13 coins which are ‘historical treasures’ 

The family of the British tourist facing up to three years in prison after finding 13 old coins while snokerlling in Turkey fear he has been moved to a worse jail.

Father-of-five Toby Robyns, 52, was arrested at Milas-Bodrum Airport when he and his family prepared to fly home from their two-week holiday.

He was stopped when security staff judged that 13 ancient coins found in his hand luggage were ‘historical treasures’.

The ambulance driver, from Southwick, West Sussex, picked up the items while he was swimming underwater off the Turkish coast near Turgutreis. 

He last spoke to his 43-year-old wife Heidi, a doctor’s receptionist, on Sunday when he was in a detention centre close to the airport.

A loved one told The Sun: ‘He’s only spoken to Heidi once and now his mobile phone’s been confiscated.

‘Has he been moved? We don’t know what is going on. It’s crazy and all over a few bloody coins.’

He now faces a three-year jail sentence after he was held on suspicion of ‘finding Turkish artefacts without notifying authorities’.

James Stoneham, a friend of the family, said Mr Robyns had been ‘dragged’ off a flight.

He told the newspaper: ‘He found a number of coins among the rocks and sand. When he went to get his flight home they dragged him off and searched his hand luggage.’

The next day, Mr Robyns reportedly appeared in court, where he was remanded in custody until a decision can be made on whether he will be charged.

He was swimming when he stumbled across the 13 coins and was later stopped at Bodrum airport

He was swimming when he stumbled across the 13 coins and was later stopped at Bodrum airport

The ambulance driver was snorkelling off the Turkish coast (pictured) when he found the coins

The ambulance driver was snorkelling off the Turkish coast (pictured) when he found the coins

But as Turkey has a judicial holiday this month, the process could take between four and six weeks.

It is believed Mr Robyns was being held at Milas Prison, a compound that holds about 70 inmates, but his family fear he has since been moved. 

He found the coins where there are said to approximately 25 shipwrecks dating as far back as the 4th century.   

A Foreign Office spokesman said earlier this week: ‘We are assisting a British man following his arrest in Bodrum, and remain in contact with his family and the Turkish authorities.’ 

It is understood that Toby is being held at Milas Prison (pictured), a compound which holds about 70 inmates

It is understood that Toby is being held at Milas Prison (pictured), a compound which holds about 70 inmates

The Ambulance picked up the coins while snorkelling during a two-week break in Turgutreis

The Ambulance picked up the coins while snorkelling during a two-week break in Turgutreis

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk