Brit Julian Ponder gets six years in Bali jail for possessing cocaine
Julian Ponder is sentenced to jail, following Lindsay Sandiford being given the death sentence in Bali last week
15:15 29 January 2013
British man Julian Ponder has been given a six-year jail sentence in Bali, Indonesia, on Tuesday by the court. This relates to Mr. Ponder, who is 43-year-old, being convicted of possessing 23 grams of cocaine.
The news comes after a 56-year-old woman, Lindsay Sandiford, was sentenced to death in Bali last week. Her sentence relates to death by firing squad for smuggling cocaine in 2012.
Mr. Ponder, who is from Brighton, was arrested along with other people from the UK with regards to drug offences. He appeared before court in Bali late last year, and has been cleared of drug smuggling charges.
It is believed that along with his prison sentence, he also has to pay a large fine.
Based on reports, the British man was allegedly linked to a plan to smuggle drugs into the Indonesian region.
Lindsay Sandiford, from Cheltenham, was arrested for drug smuggling in May, 2012. She faces execution over charges of bringing cocaine into Bali, although it was hoped that she would receive jail time and not the death sentence.
The British woman aims to appeal against her sentence. It is understood that Ms. Sandiford is receiving help from the charity Reprieve, and that the due date for the appeal documents is 12th February, 2013.
Action is being sought against the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office with regards to her situation.
Two British citizens also received sentences from a Bali court.
The main part of Bali is a region in Indonesia, whose capital is Denpasar, which is situated between Java and Lombok.
Bali is supposedly a place where many travellers and holiday makers visit each year, including trips being made from Thailand, as well as Australia.