Jamie has harsh Dubai jail sentence quashed
A Cambusbarron man who was handed a three-month jail term in United Arab Emirates had his sentence quashed and was set to return home after the Ruler of Dubai stepped in, in October 2017.
Jamie Harron (27) was sentenced by a court in the UAE to jail for public indecency in October 2017.
But less than 24 hours later the electrician was told he was free to return home after UAE Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, intervened.
Mr Harron had been stranded in Dubai since July 15 that year after he was arrested for bumping into Jordanian businessman, Emad Tabaza, and touching his hip to avoid spilling his drink in a crowded bar.
Mr Harron was arrested during a two-day stopover in Dubai following a spell working in Afghanistan.
He was later released on condition he surrendered his passport to authorities.
Jamie’s family were not expecting the sentencing and were even more shocked to hear of his release just a day later.
Stirling’s then MP, Stephen Kerr, who had raised Mr Harron’s case with the Foreign Office said: “It’s great to hear that Mr Harron is now free to go and is on his way home.
“Hopefully he and his family can put this behind them.
“There’s a need for clearer Foreign Office advice regarding travel to Dubai.
“This case brings into focus that the laws and customs of places like Dubai can be very different from what we enjoy in the UK.”
Stirling MSP, Bruce Crawford added: “Mr Harron’s release with his passport returned – allowing him to finally leave the United Arab Emirates – is very welcome news indeed.
“I know that this has been a very harrowing ordeal for both Mr Harron and his family.
“In my letters to the Foreign Secretary on this matter, I have called for the Foreign Office to update the information that it makwes available to the travelling UK public about the dangers of visiting Dubai.
“Mr Harron’s is not an isolated case and it is important that proper travel advice is provided.”
Mr Harron had been supported through his ordeal by campaign group Detained in Dubai, who said that the case shows legal reform is needed in the state.
Chief executive, Radha Stirling said: “This was a courageous and honourable decision on the part of Sheikh Mohammed, and while it highlights the urgent need for judicial reform in the country, it is also a hopeful sign that the UAE’s leadership possesses the will and vision to pursue such reforms in the future.
“When Jamie was called this morning (Monday) by the police he was told that the case had been dismissed, and that he should come in to collect his passport.
“He was understandably nervous as similar calls from the police in other cases were merely tactics to lure individuals into police custody. But when Jamie arrived at the police station, his passport was returned and he was told that he was free to go. The charges were dropped, the sentence annulled, and he faces no order for deportation.”
Andy almost late for royal date
A badly-timed drug test meant Andy Murray faced a last-minute dash to collect his OBE at Buckingham Palace in October 2013.
Thankfully, though, Andy showed that his timing is just as good off-court as it is on, when he made it to the ceremony on time to be presented with the honour by Prince William.
The tennis star had his Twitter followers in stitches earlier in the day when he posted the message “In the middle of a drug test hahaha I’m going to be late!!!”
The Dunblane ace was named in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List, prior to his Wimbledon triumph.
Chemical spill hell for village
The environmental impact of a kerosene spill which contaminated floodwater in Aberfoyle was being monitored as residents across the region counted the cost of extreme weather in October 2023.
In Aberfoyle, the flooding was compounded by a public health scare sparked when a kerosene storage tank overturned, with 700 litres of the fuel entering the watercourse.
Extensive flooding caused wide-spread disruption and left homes and businesses underwater.
Heavy rainfall saw water levels rise as a week’s worth of rain fell in just a few hours.
NHS Forth Valley launched a major operation and warned of “significant health risks for pregnant women, children, elderly and those living with heart and lung conditions”.
They urged people not to attempt to decontaminate homes but to “seek professional services to do this to prevent any risk of inhalation or contact with oils”.
The health board has also warned: “Please do not go in your garden until this has been assessed and avoid areas of standing water both in your garden and in the wider village as there may be contamination, which may require professional treatment.”
As torrential rain battered the village, Aberfoyle Memorial Village Hall was transformed into a refuge centre for the Strathard area.
Volunteers prepared food for the Trossachs Search and Rescue team and staff at the fire station received generous donations of food from local residents.