Police are investigating an incident in which fake notes - reported to be US dollars - were said to have been used in a shop to purchase a mobile phone.

However, according to Holland’s manager and father-in-law Peter Merchant, although Holland was in the shop at the time, he was not the one in possession of the counterfeit money.

Merchant said: “I got a call from the foreign office in Cyprus and they told me Darryll had been arrested and this was his one phone call to England. I then spoke to a lawyer and he said that another gentleman had tried to buy a phone with fake notes and Darryll was in the shop at the same time.

“The shop owner called the police and both were arrested. The police have since found further counterfeit notes in the other man’s possession.”

He added: “Darryll has not been charged but is still being held as the investigation continues. Darryll is the innocent party and we hope to have him home very soon.”

Holland, who was suspended from riding last Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, decided to take the remainder of the week off after aggravating an elbow injury.

According to Merchant, Holland had planned to visit Spain, where his agent David Harrison has a winter home. However, Holland failed to get a last-minute flight and instead opted for Cyprus                                                                                  

                                                                                                                                                                                                      01.11.09

                                                                                                                                                                                                   Sunday Express