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Briefing
Page 15
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David Wilson— successhil in Greece
David Wilson, the British truck driver jailed for smuggling refugees, has won his appeal, having returned to Greece to clear his name.
Wilson was stopped at Patras port in Greece last March as he waited to board a ferry to Brindisi in Italy. His truck was searched and 19 illegal immigrants were found underneath his load of cotton.
He was tried and sentenced to 11 years in Alcida prison despite written confirmation from the illegal immigrants that he had no involvement in the offence (CM 22 May 2003). He was fined £47.000 and an extra £21,000 to secure his immediate release and get his truck back. Wilson was eventually released on bail on 23 May after paying a guarantee of €2,000 (£1,228); his vehicle remains impounded in Greece.
Wilson's boss, Paul Willis from Prescott Transport (below), says: We have put a lot of hard work into preparing David's case."
Richard Frier. Wilson's brother-in-law says: "We are over the moon about the decision. David can now have his bail money and vehicle back."