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Freshwater Five

In 2011, five men from the Isle of Wight were sent to prison for a total of 104 years on the charge of drug smuggling, after £53m of cocaine was found just off Freshwater Bay.

Known as the Freshwater Five, they have insisted they are innocent of the crimes they are charged with and have been involved in a legal battle ever since.

They are Jamie Green, Jonathan Beere, Zoran Dresic, Scott Birtwistle and Daniel Payne. Scott and Danny are both out on licence.

In February 2021 Danny and Jonathan appealed their cases at the Royal Court of Appeal. If successful, it is thought the judgement will see all five go free of all charges.

Below are articles relating to the Freshwater Five.

19, July 2016·1 min read

Lawyer presents new evidence in ‘Freshwater Five’ £53m drug bust case

The five men from the Isle of Wight who were convicted in 2011 of conspiring to import Class A drugs have a new lawyer who claims she's uncovered vital evidence.

25, April 2017·2 min read

Powerful play tells story of Beerey – one of the ‘Freshwater Five’ serving 24 years

There are two performances of this one-act play at the Ventnor Winter Gardens. Book now to see heart-breaking story of Jon Beere, one of the 'Freshwater Five' accused of smuggling £53m of cocaine.

5, December 2017·4 min read

Freshwater Five: Isle of Wight men denied help for appeal, despite new bombshell evidence

The Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) has refused to provide the Freshwater Five with evidence from the police files in their case, or add its backing to calls that the case needs to be heard again in the Court of Appeal.

Scott Birtwistle on BBC Victoria Derbyshire

4, June 2018·2 min read

WATCH: One of ‘Freshwater Five’ fights to clear his name on Cocaine allegations

Having served more than six years inside for a crime he has always insisted he did not commit, Scott Birtwistle, one of the so-called ‘Freshwater Five’, is fighting to clear his name.

28, May 2019·1 min read

Gathering to mark nine years since ‘nightmare began’ for Freshwater Five

Marking the nine years since police officers say they saw men throw bags off a fishing boat, supporters of the Freshwater Five will meet at the same spot and encourage others to "let the men know they are not alone".

Freshwater Five - Dan Payne on day of release by the sea

14, June 2019·1 min read

Released from prison today, Freshwater Five Dan says, ‘Nine years of my life stolen’: Appeal underway

Dan said, "I've had nine years of my life stolen from me for something I didn't do. I may have been released from prison but I am still not free. Only the Court of Appeal can put this right now."

19, February 2021·1 min read

The Guardian launch podcast mini-series about the Freshwater Five

The podcast mini-series delves deep into one of the biggest drug convictions in British History to understand why the jury convicted the Freshwater Five

22, February 2021·1 min read

Freshwater Five: Radar evidence suggests surveillance plane and a suspect vessel

The Court of Appeal hearing begins tomorrow for two of the Freshwater Five, where new information will be put before the judge. Read the details within

25, February 2021·1 min read

Freshwater Five: Day Three for Court of Appeal hearing

The judgement that Court of Appeal judges make in this case will have a direct impact on the sentences for all the Freshwater Five

Freshwater five appeal - holding the buoys on zebra crossing

1, March 2021·3 min read

Families of the Freshwater Five speak out following Court of Appeal hearing

Families of the Freshwater Five say that to be wrongly imprisoned for ten years for a crime you didn't commit should be something that never happens in a modern society and exposes a deep and serious flaw in the legal system

25, March 2021·4 min read

Freshwater Five families on today’s Appeal verdict: ‘A dark and bitter day’

Despite Court of Appeal saying that failure to disclose evidence at their trial “should not have happened”, two of the Freshwater Five have lost their bid to have convictions overturned. The families say, "British justice is broken, and we will never trust it again"

Liam Patrick Harrison, (Right) Samuel Bossman - Standing in front of the infamous Galwad-y-Mor in Medina Yard

5, January 2023·1 min read

The Freshwater Five: Unique and thought-provoking production goes on South Coast and London tour

Inspired by a Guardian podcast about five Isle of Wight fishermen sentenced for conspiracy to import £53m of cocaine, Deadman Productions is touring their award-winning production of The Freshwater Five along the South Coast and to London

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