Brit Sentenced in Thailand (33yrs)..hopes for reduced Term

[beer monkey]

Sentence hope for Thailand Briton


A man jailed for more than 30 years for a drug offence in Thailand is hoping to have his sentence reduced in a landmark court case next week.

Stephen Wilcox, 45, was sentenced to 33-and-a-half years in prison after he was arrested for possession of drugs while working in Koh Samui, Thailand, in 2003.

Since his arrest he has maintained that the drugs were for his own use, but because of Thai law he was advised to plead guilty to dealing.

As part of a treaty agreement with Thailand, Wilcox, from Blaby, Leicestershire, was allowed to return to the UK to serve the remainder of his sentence but was told he would not be considered for parole for at least nine years.

He is hoping a judicial review next Thursday will help change his sentence to a period similar to what he would have been given if he had gone through the British justice system.

John Davies, who spent 17 years in a Thai prison for drugs offences despite maintaining his innocence, is helping campaign for Mr Wilcox.

He said: "I've been to see Stephen several times in Rye Hill Prison in Warwickshire since he's been back.

"He was told when he came back that he had to wait nine more years before parole would even be considered. That's not even definitely getting it, that's before he is considered.

"He wasn't even dealing, he was using some stuff himself. It's maybe a year or a slap on the wrist for what he did if it was in this country. Thirty-three years is just a ridiculous figure."

Mr Davies said Britain's treaty needed a new clause that would allow prisoners to be released if they have served the sentence they would have received in their own country.

Associated Press.

[Geordie]

We all know the penalty's for doing drugs in Thailand are high, its been publicised so many times in the world press and on TV worldwide so why do these people when caught bleat about the sentence they receive.

IMO another case of if you dont want the time dont do the crime.

[BobHelm]

The original case...
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world ... 95387.html
Who would ever agree to plead guilty to dealing ANYWHERE in the world if the drugs were for personal use . Will be interesting to see if the "British agents" who informed Thailand will testify at his appeal....

[wazza]

What happened to that Brit in Udon who was going to be charged with Murder ?

[beer monkey]

2.9 pounds of heroin hidden in his luggage.

That's a fair amount for personal use...

[Ter]

Sounds like he worked for an airline with that much, maybe it was for PU :-"

[wazza]

Most countries have a limit to what they consider personal use.

In Australia 2.9 kg is a trafficking offence, no ifs no buts, no matter what ur defence is.

so this friend of his wants his mate to serve what is considered to be the punishment under UK law.

Ok, lets send the Pakkis that have been sentenced for the Underground bombings, back to Pakistan ( family ties ) , to serve the rest of their sentence there, and then allow the Pakki judicial system deceide whats a fair sentence back home. Maybe out in 3-4 years.

Lets here what the victims of their bombings would say then !

[beer monkey]

His mate got tugged in bangkok after he had travelled by Bus from Samui Ter.

[Ter]

For that amount he did get lucky with that treaty, either way you see it personal or supply he should not have had it.

[wazza]

The other thing authorities can do, is do a simple drug screen to see what residual is still there etc.....

No signs of narcotics, does suggest he is not a heavy user ! :-" :-" :-"

2.5 kg make a few thousand shots or more ??

[old-timer]

2.9 pounds of heroin hidden in his luggage.

if he had been on a air asia flight that would have cost him thirty quid in excess baggage....

(sorry jack - couldn't help it) ...

[wazza]

LOL

Classic !

=D> =D> =D>

[ULICK MC GEE]

In Ireland garda tend to go on value of drug's as to charge with use or supply,if the value is over 10000e that carries a automatic life sentence judge has no discreation one kilo of hash will get you life in ireland,we have some of the harshest drug law's in the eu.You can be held for up to 7 day's without charge,no right to silence,no right to a laywer.About 1 year ago two brit's and a paddy had to be rescued in a force 8 storm by the irish navy,who just happened to be following their yatch,they loaded 400kg of cocaine into an inflatable yes it sank but the coke stayed afloat which is where the navy found the 3 clinging on for dear life,66 year's each was their reward.Heroin is a killer and anyone selling it is a killer,i think this guy got off very lightly,the amount suggest's he is no novice and he should have been hanged like all heroin dealer's no matter what the amount.

[konstabel els]

2.9 pounds for PU , , they should be made to finish their sentence in Thailand, after all thats where they commited the crime, also it costs the taxpayer thousands to keep a prisoner- when they could have been left to rot in a Thai jail.

[westerby]

2.9 pounds for PU , , they should be made to finish their sentence in Thailand, after all thats where they commited the crime, also it costs the taxpayer thousands to keep a prisoner- when they could have been left to rot in a Thai jail.

Are you sure you're not a copper? I notice you weren't posting during the G20 Summit, too busy belting Crusties.

[jackspratt]

Did anyone bother to read the article that Bob linked to?

There were 2 people involved - Messrs Flannaghan and Wilcox (the subject of the OP).

Flannaghan was the one caught with 2.9 lbs of smack - he says Wilcox gave it to him. (Mandy Rice Davies? - I don't know, and based on the article, neither do any of the subsequent posters on this thread).

When he was arrested, Wilcox was in possession of 1.2 ounces of heroin, one ounce of marijuana, 14 ecstasy tablets and 11 tablets of methamphetamines - which conceivably could have been for personal use.

[aznyron]

2.9 pounds seem like a lot for personal use but 33 year sentence is a lot worse I am a believer of having large amounts of drugs does not constitute dealing until you get caught selling it when we start sentencing people on assumption then I think we are losing a great deal of our rights & protection. I am also a
believer of legalization it cheaper to treat them then to ware house them

[BobHelm]

Jack, I am not even sure (reading the article) that Flannaghan was actually "found" with the 2.9 pounds of heroin - although that could just be my pedantic reading of it...
As I said before the evidence of the "British agents" who tipped off the Thai police would be interesting to hear. If they actually exist then there would be little doubt in my mind that both these gentlemen were more than just users. But, that is a big IF.....

[douglas]

Hi,
Why oh why do people bleat about long time in prison for drug offences, using or dealing. The law is perfectly clear, you are not in the U.K. now, they should get life or worse. I have no time for druggies, seen to many, they are the scum of the earth and the things they do to get there drugs, if the U.K. do not supply them free, is affecting the decent people on this planet.
Does not matter if it is 1grm. or 10k give them the max. the law allows.
I'll get off my soapbox now.
Cheere Doug.

[Ba Bob]

If they were in Singapore they would both be dead!! I think they are very lucky lads.