Mum blasts ‘no help’ for jailed Dubai Brit
She begs for aid after 25yr term
THE mother of a young British man jailed for 25 years in Dubai after being found with CBD oil has accused the Foreign Office of providing no support to the family.
Billy Hood, 24, was sentenced last week after four bottles of the oil were discovered in his car in January.
Asked whether the Foreign Office had offered help, his mum Breda Guckion said: “No, not at all.”
In an emotional plea, she said: “As a mother, and I know a lot of people who know Billy, please, please, if anyone can help get Billy home, please do. That’s all I can ask from you.”
Billy said the CBD, which is legal in the UK and can be used for conditions such as epilepsy, was left in the vehicle by a friend who was visiting from England.
Reacting to the jail term, Breda, who appeared on Good Morning Britain yesterday, said: “It broke us completely. It still breaks me every day thinking about it, seeing his photo.”
Billy moved to the United Arab Emirates to work as a football coach. He was allegedly kept in an isolation cell for 14 days after his arrest and forced to sign a confession before being convicted of drug trafficking with intent to supply.
Breda said: “We didn’t even know Billy was arrested. He didn’t turn up for work for three days and his boss went to the police station reporting Billy missing.”
Detained in Dubai campaigner Radha Stirling is helping the family. She said: “Only when there is diplomatic pressure to encourage the UAE higher up authorities to look at the case in more detail, is a positive outcome going to happen for Billy.
“The Foreign Office [is] less and less inclined to assist with UK nationals as the UAE becomes a stronger trade partner.
“There’s quite a conflict of interest which can result in innocent victims like Billy being locked up for extremely lengthy periods. Longer than murder.”
The Foreign & Commonwealth Office said: “We are giving consular support.”
The UAE Embassy was approached for comment.
Innocent victims like Billy are locked up longer than for murder
RADHA STIRLING ON TOUGH TERMS FOR EXPATS