Prosecution appeals acquittal of Briton over cannabis smuggling

Tuesday 13th May, 04:16 AM JST

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6 Comments

rjd_jr at 07:38 AM JST - 13th May

Again, it must be reported that oft repeated urban legends of foreigners being somehow singled out and persecuted are greatly exaggerated or outright falsehood. Cases like these show that the Japanese judicial system are in most cases FOR the foreigner. Case closed.
thundercat at 08:56 AM JST - 13th May

How and why do you come to the conclusion that this case is in any way 'FOR the foreigner'? I have read more than one story about Japanese nationals being acquitted over similar smuggling charges based on the 'I didn't know what was in my bag' defense.

Even though I don't believe this man's defense and think he was probably guilty, he was acquitted. Was he released after the acquital? No. He was detained because he had overstayed his visa, which was a direct result of the trail, and not his intention (I imagine). He should have been sent home. Now he must likely will put on trail again (double jeopardy) and will continue to be incarcerated. So, a man who has been found innocent, has now been incarcerated for almost a year. This case is far from closed...
Notginger at 01:06 PM JST - 13th May

It's a bit harsh that he's being done for outstaying his visa due to his being in clink for almost a year.
Hughgarse at 01:13 PM JST - 13th May

suspicion

???????. So, was there an actual suitcase of weed found on him?
romulus3 at 12:49 AM JST - 14th May

oh rubbish. chuck the tosser in with the riff-raff
1keiron at 04:14 AM JST - 14th May

EH? overstaying? Was the judge aware that the dude was in prison?

I dont think the man had a choice to leave SA with a case full of weed. He got in with the wrong kind of people, got knee capped after trying to pull a fast one and he probably had a last choice: Bullet to the head or take the weed to the waiting reciever in JP and gamble what happens when you get over there. Either way the guy must of thought "well i'm either dead now or chopsui on arrival in JP....hmm might as well live a little longer, you never know could get lucky". What was the guy's history and whereabouts before this chapter in his life took place? Was he in the UK on a 9-5 grind as a family man or rolling deep off the records as a smuggler?