Harrower release depends on fine
Page 7
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
• Hopes are rising that John Harrower could be released from Bayonne jail this week as two years of negotiation between his lawyer and the French authorities come to a climax. The release of the Oldham owner-driver is dependent on French Customs reducing his fine of £323,000 to £1,330. At his appeal last month his sentence was halved to two years when his convictions of smuggling drugs were quashed. However, he remains convicted of having drugs hidden in his load of beetroot.
Harrower is said to have no money but £1,330 has been collected from dozens of drivers and United Road Transport Union executives.
Harrower is said by URTU to be traumatised by 1 8 months in jail. The confiscation order is still in place for his truck. His freedom will follow last year's release of Epsom-based owner-driver Roy Clarke who was acquitted by the Spanish of drugs smuggling.