This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-22266144
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Lindsay Sandiford appeal receives £1,800 from man aged 87 | |
(35 minutes later) | |
An 87-year-old man has donated £1,800 to allow a British drug smuggler jailed in Bali to appeal against her death sentence. | |
Lindsay Sandiford, 56, of Cheltenham, was convicted of smuggling 4.8kg (10.6lb) of cocaine in May 2012. | Lindsay Sandiford, 56, of Cheltenham, was convicted of smuggling 4.8kg (10.6lb) of cocaine in May 2012. |
Victor Leversha, from Bedfordshire, told the BBC he "couldn't sit by and do nothing" and would "pay whatever it costs to give her the chance". | |
His donation takes the total raised by the public to more than £8,000. | |
Sandiford's legal team said that was the minimum amount required for her to mount her appeal. | Sandiford's legal team said that was the minimum amount required for her to mount her appeal. |
Following her conviction, the prosecution recommended a prison sentence of 15 years but judges later sentenced Sandiford to death by firing squad. | Following her conviction, the prosecution recommended a prison sentence of 15 years but judges later sentenced Sandiford to death by firing squad. |
'Highway days' | 'Highway days' |
On Monday she lost an appeal against the UK government's refusal to pay her legal fees - a defeat which her lawyers said left her needing help from the public. | On Monday she lost an appeal against the UK government's refusal to pay her legal fees - a defeat which her lawyers said left her needing help from the public. |
By Tuesday morning, a campaign set up on the Just Giving website had reached more than £6,200 when Mr Leversha made a pledge live on BBC Three Counties Radio to make up the shortfall. | By Tuesday morning, a campaign set up on the Just Giving website had reached more than £6,200 when Mr Leversha made a pledge live on BBC Three Counties Radio to make up the shortfall. |
Clearly emotional, he told the Jonathan Vernon-Smith programme: "It seems like it's going back to the old highway days, your money or your life. | Clearly emotional, he told the Jonathan Vernon-Smith programme: "It seems like it's going back to the old highway days, your money or your life. |
"It's only a matter of money if someone lives or dies and that is not something I agree with. So I would like to meet the cost myself." | "It's only a matter of money if someone lives or dies and that is not something I agree with. So I would like to meet the cost myself." |
He added: "I'm willing to forgo something in my life to give her the money." | |
Clive Stafford Smith, director of legal charity Reprieve which is helping fight Sandiford's case, spoke after Mr Leversha made his offer. | Clive Stafford Smith, director of legal charity Reprieve which is helping fight Sandiford's case, spoke after Mr Leversha made his offer. |
"All I can say is it makes you proud to be a human being when people show that kind of compassion." | "All I can say is it makes you proud to be a human being when people show that kind of compassion." |
Speaking again to the BBC after donating the money, Mr Leversha said: "Whatever mistakes we've made, everyone deserves a second chance. Drugs cause dreadful harm, but whatever the reason she did it, it's too easy to take a life. | |
"She appears to have been through a pretty rough time in prison and to spend the rest of her life there would be a dreadful prospect, but where there's life, there's hope. | |
"Nothing is guaranteed in the appeal but I couldn't sit by and do nothing." | |
The £8,000 target was reached on the same day that Sandiford's lawyer lodged her intention to appeal with the Indonesian Supreme Court. | The £8,000 target was reached on the same day that Sandiford's lawyer lodged her intention to appeal with the Indonesian Supreme Court. |
She now has 14 days to make all the necessary legal submissions. | She now has 14 days to make all the necessary legal submissions. |
The Foreign Office has said "it does not operate a legal aid scheme to cover legal expenses for British nationals involved in criminal proceedings abroad, nor does it provide funds in exceptional cases". | The Foreign Office has said "it does not operate a legal aid scheme to cover legal expenses for British nationals involved in criminal proceedings abroad, nor does it provide funds in exceptional cases". |
Sandiford was originally from Redcar, in Teesside, but her last UK address was in Gloucestershire. | Sandiford was originally from Redcar, in Teesside, but her last UK address was in Gloucestershire. |
Previous version
1
Next version