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Yasey firm closes as John stays in jail
Page 11
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by Jennifer Ball The wife of a Newcastle-uponTyne haulier imprisoned in France six months ago for allegedly smuggling 12.5m worth of cannabis has been forced to close the firm after five years.
Emma Vasey's husband John, owner of Houghton le Springbased JO Vasey Transport, was stopped In February by French Customs In Perpignan on his way back from Spain. His vehicle was searched, and cannabis resin was found in two shrinkwrapped UK-bound pallets he had collected from Barcelona, He Is being detained In prison In the Marseilles area awaiting trial, which could take months.
Emma says: "1 had to cease trading because John was a sole trader and the only signature on the company. We managed to close without going bankrupt, so I was able to pay all the bills.
"I have voluntarily surrendered all the vehicles that we had, alongside John's truck, which was picked up from France by a recovery team. We only had two payments left on his vehicle and it would have been ours—but I couldn't afford to make the repayments while it was parked up.
"We are now waiting to hear about John's remand hearing and appeal," she adds.
Organisations including Fair Trials Abroad, websites Trucknet UK and Courier Exchange, and the Professional Drivers' Association are all campaigning for Vasey's release.
• Dm Andrews, the truck driver held in Greece after 14 illegal immigrants were found on board his vehicle (CM 24-30 Jun) has had his bail hearing postponed.
Andrews was due to have his hearing in Athens last Wednesday (23 July). His wife Sue is now waiting to hear when it will be rescheduled.