A British footballer who is currently in prison in Dubai was reportedly attacked by guards as Prince William visited the country on an official visit.
Billy Hood, 25, is currently serving a 10-year sentence for “unintentionally possessing” CBD vape oil in the United Arab Emirates country.
As the Duke of Cambridge was meeting with UAE diplomats in Dubai and Abu Dhabi on Thursday, (February 10), Billy was allegedly attacked by Emirati authorities, according to non-profit organisation Detained in Dubai.
Billy’s family are now appealing to the Prince to help bring Billy back to the UK after his appeal to overturn the sentence was refused, despite no court hearing taking place.
According to Detained in Dubai, Billy has been isolated in a tiny cell that could fit only a mattress and is said to have hit the wall in frustration.
Four prison guards are then alleged to have opened his cell and repeatedly beat him, causing him to bleed.
Reports have also claimed that Billy was previously beaten and tasered and forced to confess.
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His brother Alex Hood said: “I am disgusted that the UK would ever allow this to happen to a British citizen and that they have not already intervened. This is not the first time he has been assaulted while in custody and over what? CBD oil that the court accepted, was not even his.
“In accepting this kind of treatment and just ‘raising concerns’ without any actual consequence, the UK is essentially sanctioning these abuses again and again. British MP’s have called for sanctions and travel warnings and this is exactly what is needed to finally end this medieval treatment”.
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Billy was originally jailed for 25 years in Dubai last February after officials found four bottles of vape liquid containing cannabis oil in his car.
However, his sentence was reduced in December to 10 years.
His mother Breda Guckion and brother Alex spoke about Billy’s situation on Good Morning Britain today as they pleaded for William’s help.
They told presenters Ben Shephard and Kate Garraway that they are calling on the Duke to bring the "last piece of our jigsaw home".
Breda said: “Your mother, Prince William, was a humanitarian. And all I ask is, you’re a family man, and we just want the last piece of our jigsaw home, so please help us in any way you can. Please read Billy’s story and bring Billy home to us.”
*Good Morning Britain weekdays from 6am on ITV and ITV Hub.
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