"We pray every day for Billy's release," said Billy's brother Alex.Ī Foreign Office spokesperson said: "We are giving consular support to a British man who has been imprisoned in the UAE. Image: Mr Hood's mother Breda Guckion (pictured with Billy's brother Alex) says she feels 'broken'Ī clemency request has been submitted by the Foreign Office for Billy's release and a petition set up by the family has attracted almost 160,000 signatures. He was given both a carrot and a stick, so some prosecutor could get his dues. "Billy was forced to confess to federal crimes with promises of his imminent release. Dubai's overzealous prosecution has ruined this young man's life and put him and his family through hell. "There was no evidence whatsoever of trafficking and none of selling. "They turned what would have been a small possession case at worst into a federal case that has seen him locked up for almost a year and facing a life sentence in Abu Dhabi. She added: "Dubai police were extremely negligent when they charged Billy Hood with trafficking and selling the mini bottles of CBD vape oil found in his car. Radha Stirling, chief executive of Detained in Dubai, said: "The UAE has just claimed they will eliminate prison sentences for foreigners found to be in possession of THC products, opting for deportation instead but this law does not come into effect until January 2022 and may not apply retroactively." "They accept that he 'unintentionally possessed' the CBD but have sentenced him to 10 years in prison, despite new legislation eliminating prison sentences for foreigners found in possession and allowing for deportation."
The campaign group Detained in Dubai, which is lobbying for the Briton's release, said: "Abu Dhabi Courts accept Billy Hood did not traffic nor sell the CBD vape oil left in his car by a visiting friend. "I tried not to get my hopes up for today as I knew something like this might happen, but I now have to face the possibility that I may not see my son before Christmas and I can't tell you how broken I am feeling."
How can this have escalated as far as it has? On Tuesday, his mother, Breda Guckion, said she was feeling "broken" by the latest legal ruling, adding: "It's very confusing.
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