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Britons jailed for four years in Dubai on drug offences Britons jailed for four years in Dubai on drug offences
(35 minutes later)
Three British men have been found guilty of drug offences in Dubai and jailed for four years each.Three British men have been found guilty of drug offences in Dubai and jailed for four years each.
Londoners Suneet Jeerh, Grant Cameron and Karl Williams, who denied the charges, will be deported afterwards.Londoners Suneet Jeerh, Grant Cameron and Karl Williams, who denied the charges, will be deported afterwards.
The three men, who were charged with possessing, taking and intending to distribute illegal drugs, were arrested on holiday in July.The three men, who were charged with possessing, taking and intending to distribute illegal drugs, were arrested on holiday in July.
Cameron's mother Tracy said they were "really happy" the supply charges had been dropped.Cameron's mother Tracy said they were "really happy" the supply charges had been dropped.
Torture concernsTorture concerns
Harsher sentences had been expected for Jeerh, 25, Cameron, 25, and Williams, 26, who were arrested after police said they found a quantity of synthetic cannabis known as "spice" in their car.Harsher sentences had been expected for Jeerh, 25, Cameron, 25, and Williams, 26, who were arrested after police said they found a quantity of synthetic cannabis known as "spice" in their car.
UK Prime Minister David Cameron had expressed concern over allegations they were tortured while in custody.UK Prime Minister David Cameron had expressed concern over allegations they were tortured while in custody.
The BBC's Simon Atkinson, in Dubai, said the three men, dressed in white prison overalls, made a very brief appearance at Dubai's criminal court.The BBC's Simon Atkinson, in Dubai, said the three men, dressed in white prison overalls, made a very brief appearance at Dubai's criminal court.
He said they were given their sentences and told they would be deported from Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), after serving them.He said they were given their sentences and told they would be deported from Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), after serving them.
The men say they were subjected to torture by police, including electric shocks and beatings. Police in Dubai have denied any wrongdoing.The men say they were subjected to torture by police, including electric shocks and beatings. Police in Dubai have denied any wrongdoing.
Legal rights charity Reprieve has taken on their case. Investigator Kate Higham said the drug supply charges were dropped entirely.Legal rights charity Reprieve has taken on their case. Investigator Kate Higham said the drug supply charges were dropped entirely.
"The boys all got four years for consumption. While we are pleased with this result we will continue to push for the men's release and return in light of the torture they have suffered," she said."The boys all got four years for consumption. While we are pleased with this result we will continue to push for the men's release and return in light of the torture they have suffered," she said.
"David Cameron must push for this when UAE President Sheikh Khalifa arrives on a state visit.""David Cameron must push for this when UAE President Sheikh Khalifa arrives on a state visit."
In a letter to Reprieve, David Cameron has said he will use a state visit by the UAE president on Tuesday to raise his concerns about the case. In a letter to Reprieve, David Cameron has said he will use Tuesday's visit to raise his concerns about the case.
Mr Cameron wrote: "We continue to press for evidence for a full, impartial and independent investigation into the allegations. The absence of an independent medical examination remains a concern. He wrote: "We continue to press for evidence for a full, impartial and independent investigation into the allegations. The absence of an independent medical examination remains a concern.
"During the state visit of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan there will be opportunities to raise a wide range of issues including concerns about this and other consular cases.""During the state visit of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan there will be opportunities to raise a wide range of issues including concerns about this and other consular cases."
The BBC's world affairs correspondent Richard Galpin says the fact the case is going to be raised is "pretty significant", especially as the Gulf state is a very important strategic partner.
He said the men's families were all relieved they were not convicted for dealing, which carries a sentence of up to 15 years in prison.
It is understood the men are going to appeal against the sentences, he added, but the families are hoping they will receive a pardon from the president.
'Pretty terrifying''Pretty terrifying'
The men say they had guns held to their heads by police. Williams also said he had electric shocks administered to his testicles. The BBC's world affairs correspondent Richard Galpin says the fact the case is going to be raised is "pretty significant", especially as the Gulf state is a very important strategic partner.
He said the men's families were all relieved they had not been convicted for dealing, which carries a sentence of up to 15 years in prison.
It was understood the men were going to appeal against the sentences, he added, but the families were hoping they would receive a pardon from the president.
It is claimed the torture took place in the desert, where the men were initially taken after their arrest, and subsequently in hotel rooms.It is claimed the torture took place in the desert, where the men were initially taken after their arrest, and subsequently in hotel rooms.
Grant Cameron's mother, Tracy, said her son and his friends were put through "a pretty terrifying ordeal".Grant Cameron's mother, Tracy, said her son and his friends were put through "a pretty terrifying ordeal".
"They were taken back to their hotel room, they were beaten in their hotel room, it does appear they were separated from each other and each taken to a different room," she told the BBC. "Grant was separated from his friends, driven around the desert, beaten, kicked, punched, tasered and a gun was held to his head and he was told he was going to die," she said.
"Karl was laid out on the bed, his trousers were stripped down and electric shocks were administered to his testicles while he was blindfolded. "They were taken back to their hotel. It does appear they were separated from each other and each taken to a different room.
"I believe all the boys had guns held to their head - they were told they were going to die." "Karl was laid out on the bed, his trousers were stripped down and electric shocks were administered to his testicles while he was blindfolded."
Suneet Jeerh's sister, Davena Kumar, told the BBC her brother was given electric shock treatment.Suneet Jeerh's sister, Davena Kumar, told the BBC her brother was given electric shock treatment.
"His whole spine was electrocuted quite badly. Even now you can see where his back is still not the same," she said. "He still suffers from back pain." "His whole spine was electrocuted quite badly. Even now you can see where his back is still not the same," she said.
Reprieve says the men were forced to sign documents in Arabic - a language none of them understands - and the statements were used as evidence.Reprieve says the men were forced to sign documents in Arabic - a language none of them understands - and the statements were used as evidence.
Williams and Cameron are both from Wanstead, in north-east London, while Jeerh is from Ilford, east London.Williams and Cameron are both from Wanstead, in north-east London, while Jeerh is from Ilford, east London.