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Grooverider jailed for four years

Jono

By Jono
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Jono

Jono

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The Radio 1 DJ Grooverider has been sentenced to a four-year prison term in Dubai after admitting to carrying cannabis into the country.

Grooverider – whose real name is Raymond Bingham – told judges at previous court appearance: "The drugs were in my possession and I forgot I had them in my trousers."

He was convicted yesterday and given the minimum sentence for drug possession in the United Arab Emirates, where deeply conservative laws sometimes collide with the liberal values of the millions of tourists who visit each year.

Grooverider's lawyers had tried to argue in his defence that he was unaware of the laws.

The 40-year-old DJ, who co-hosts the weekly BBC drum-and bass programme Fabio and Grooverider, was arrested at Dubai airport on November 23, with 2.16 grams of cannabis in his pockets just hours before he was due to play a sold-out show at a popular nightclub.

"I just want this to end and to never come back. It was a small amount. Back home I would not even get prosecuted," he previously stated, in a published interview from jail.

Drugs are strictly banned in the United Arab Emirates, however there have been several high-profile cases of foreigners being jailed for smuggling small amounts into the country.

A British tourist, Keith Brown, spent four years in jail for the possession of 0.002 grams of cannabis. Bert Tatham, a Canadian UN official who advised the Afghan government was also jailed for carrying 0.5 grams of hashish and two poppy seeds into the country.

The rulers of Dubai later issued Mr Tatham a rare pardon, deported to Canada.

Highlighting a new crackdown on drug smuggling, the UAE recently installed new drug-sensitive detecting equipment in its airports.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article3395661.ece

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KingTutsWWH

KingTutsWWH

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I agree that what he did was pretty thick given the laws over there. He is old enough to know better really.

However, 4 years, for 'God's/Allah's' sake?!? Hopefully his remand is taken into account, and he'll get out earlier for good behaviour.

The Dubai prison discos are gonna be great though! Joke. :oops: Sorry. This is an awful experience for him to go through.

'To disagree with three-fourths of the British public is one of the first requisites of sanity'.

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Jono

Jono

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Interesting Radio 1 haven't taken any further steps about it.

Although not officially suspended by Radio 1 it is understood that the BBC is not paying him a salary, as the DJ is paid for each show he presents. Bingham has provided his own legal representation.
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dstrkzn

dstrkzn

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I cant believe that ive read that he 'deserves it'. Unless he had a big bit ;) this is on the same level of the muhammed teddy thing. 4 years for possesion is shocking anywhere. dealing is another matter. but i suppose i dont know the details of there law or religion.

They wont hold him for 4 years.

My Photos are online at www.markohare.com

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Jono

Jono

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It's ignorance. The law should not be changed for ignorance. It's the same with those who knock down people on the road and are let off.

"The drugs were in my possession and I forgot I had them in my trousers."

Whether he forgot or not he shouldn't have had it.

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KingTutsWWH

KingTutsWWH

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Despite what you are all saying, foreigners/tourists are treated VERY well in Dubai. The service there is somewhat obsequious and over the top, but they seem to have decided to base their economy on luxury tourism and selling property to people overseas. It REALLY isn't in their own interest to annoy people visiting from other countries.

Just as long as you don't muck about with drugs and hardcore porn/ aren't female/ don't want to drink alcohol outside the hours of 8pm - 2am you're fine.

Not exactly my cup of tea though. Pretty boring place really.

'To disagree with three-fourths of the British public is one of the first requisites of sanity'.

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Monitorabbit

Monitorabbit

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Highlighting a new crackdown on drug smuggling, the UAE recently installed new drug-sensitive detecting equipment in its airports.

I thought at first that said UEA, then - "what? universities don't have airports..." :D

I think he genuinely forgot he had it, and 4 years is a very harsh sentence. Hopefully he'll be released as soon as possible.

UM is a nice place

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