19/02/2008 00:00:00
Dubai: Grooverider jailed for four years
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BBC1 radio host and drum'n'bass DJ Grooverider has been sentenced to
four years in prison in Dubai for cannabis possession.
The sentence, which is the minimum for drug possession in the United
Arab Emirates, was handed down in court yesterday.
Grooverider, whose real name is Raymond Bingham, was arrested for
possession of pornography and drugs shortly after arriving at Dubai
Airport on November 23, 2007 after 2.16 grams of cannabis was found in a
trouser pocket in his luggage. The pornography charges were later dropped.
Earlier this month, Bingham admitted in court that the marijuana, the
equivalent of two joints, was his, but said he had forgotten it was
there. In his defence, Bingham's lawyers argued that the DJ had no
knowledge of Dubai's strict laws regarding marijuana possession.
This latest sentence follows that of a British woman who was also
sentenced to four years on February 6, 2008 for possession of 0.34 grams
of marijuana. The UAE has been cracking down on drug smuggling by
installing new drug detection equipment in its airports, according to
UAE newspaper 7Days.
Grooverider's weekly radio show on BBC Radio1 with Fabio will continue
to be hosted by his partner. BBC have not issued any further statement
since the sentencing.
Comment here: http://www.residentadvisor.net/news.aspx?id=9128
Source:
http://www.ukcia.org/news/shownewsarticle.php?articleid=13296
Author:
Resident Advisor via UKCIA
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