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Fears for fiance in Latvian jail | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The fiancee of a Derby man extradited to Latvia on a charge of attacking a policeman says she fears he has become suicidal over conditions in jail there. | |
David Birkinshaw, 33, and Matthew Neale, 35, were arrested after a fight in June 2008 while on a stag holiday. | |
The men deny involvement but have not been given a trial date. | |
Mr Birkinshaw, of Alvaston, was due to marry fiancee Rachel Gee on Saturday, and has sent her a letter that has made her "concerned for his safety". | Mr Birkinshaw, of Alvaston, was due to marry fiancee Rachel Gee on Saturday, and has sent her a letter that has made her "concerned for his safety". |
The letter, which Ms Gee received on what would have been their wedding day, described how he was "struggling to keep going". | The letter, which Ms Gee received on what would have been their wedding day, described how he was "struggling to keep going". |
It's absolutely heart-breaking. It should have been my wedding day Rachel Gee, fiancee | It's absolutely heart-breaking. It should have been my wedding day Rachel Gee, fiancee |
It said he has flannels wrapped round his feet because the soles of his shoes are worn, his cell is freezing and cell-mates are "making life difficult". | It said he has flannels wrapped round his feet because the soles of his shoes are worn, his cell is freezing and cell-mates are "making life difficult". |
Ms Gee, who has a two-year-old daughter, Lola, with Mr Birkinshaw, said: "It was absolutely heart-breaking to read and very worrying. | Ms Gee, who has a two-year-old daughter, Lola, with Mr Birkinshaw, said: "It was absolutely heart-breaking to read and very worrying. |
"It should have been my wedding day. Instead Lola was pining for her daddy and I try to reassure her he's at work and coming back soon." | "It should have been my wedding day. Instead Lola was pining for her daddy and I try to reassure her he's at work and coming back soon." |
She blamed their extradition at the start of August on confusion over bail payments due to the language barrier. | |
'Communication failure' | 'Communication failure' |
The men were taken to a Latvian court and a fine was issued, which they did not pay on their return to the UK. | The men were taken to a Latvian court and a fine was issued, which they did not pay on their return to the UK. |
Rachel's mother, Lorraine Gee, said: "It's down to a communication failure. They have done nothing wrong." | Rachel's mother, Lorraine Gee, said: "It's down to a communication failure. They have done nothing wrong." |
Rachel said she plans to fly to Latvia for the trial and re-organise their wedding "as soon as possible", though their savings have now been spent on solicitor's fees. | Rachel said she plans to fly to Latvia for the trial and re-organise their wedding "as soon as possible", though their savings have now been spent on solicitor's fees. |
If found guilty, the men could face anything from a suspended sentence to seven years in jail. | If found guilty, the men could face anything from a suspended sentence to seven years in jail. |
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