by Guy Sheppard • Owner-driver John Harrower has begun a
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four-year jail sentence after being found guilty in France of attempting to smuggle cannabis.
However, the trial in Bayonne was labelled a travesty of justice by David Higginbottom, general secretary of the United Road Transport Union, which represented 44-year-old Harrower. "It lasted about one hour 40 minutes. The magistrates then dealt with three other cases without retiring before adjourning for 25 minutes to deliberate on all four cases," he says.
Eighty kilos of the drug were discovered underneath 20 tonnes of packaged beetroot when his truck was searched while returning from Spain last year. Harrower has always maintained he had no knowledge of the drugs being there, Harrower, based in Oldham, Greater Manchester, had his 4:18,000 tractor unit confiscated and could have his sentence extended by two years if he doesn't pay a customs fine which could be more than £10,000.
Pressure group Fair Trials Abroad estimates that over the past 18 months about 20 European drivers have been jailed in similar circumstances to I Iarroi,ver's.
Director Stephen Jakobi says his case has horrendous implications for all lorry drivers crossing the Continent. "Courts seem to think that drivers must be held responsible for their goods when they sign for them. They think that all a guy has to do is stand there and watch."
Harrower is said to have lost five stones in weight during the 14 months he spent in custody before last week's trial. He is expected to appeal against his sentence.