If you’re starting to think about Christmas presents already (sorry!), or fancy treating yourself to something new to read, check out Extradited!: One Man’s Prison Hell and His Lover’s Fight for Justice by John Packwood, Jane Amestoy and Andrew Crofts.
Seven years later John and a friend decided to take a short windsurfing (not golfing as the synopses says) holiday and take a look at local properties. On arrival at Malaga airport in Spain he was arrested and his nightmare began. The book is written from two perspectives, John’s in jail having no real idea what was happening to him and his girlfriend Jane’s, at home battling to stop him from being extradited to Morocco for a crime he clearly had not committed. A great read and something to think about if you happen to be in the boat delivery business.
I’m sure you will all remember the story of John Packwood and his fight to prove his innocence when he was arrested by Spanish police on suspicion of being involved in drug smuggling. This review of the book below, by Patrick Eden (who also shot this great portrait of John and Jane) sets the scene.
John Packwood is a marine engineer from Cowes on the Isle of Wight UK. He undertook with a crew of friends to deliver a former Royal Navy Patrol Boat to Morocco. They delivered it after a traumatic journey, after which they flew home.
Six months later the boat was arrested and six tonnes of cocaine was found onboard. Unbeknown to John the Moroccans had issued international arrest warrants against him and all the members of the delivery crew.
You can order the book from Waterstones in Newport by calling on (01983) 527927 / Fax: 01983 525620 or emailing on manager(at)newport(dot)isleofwight(dot)waterstones(dot)com
