Bail hearing for jailed driver

David Wilson says he was "gobsmacked" at the sentence

A British lorry driver sentenced to 11 years in a Greek jail has been granted a bail hearing.

It will be the first time that David Wilson, 44, from Wyke, near Bradford, will be able to argue his case with his own lawyer.

He was convicted of smuggling illegal immigrants in the back of his lorry in March.

Wilson's lorry was stopped for a random check at Greek customs, where officials found 19 Iraqi refugees in the back.

Wilson denied knowing anything about them, saying they might have broken into the truck while he was asleep.

Pressure group

Under the Greek fast track legal system he was tried and convicted the day after being arrested.

A local shopkeeper acted as his interpreter, and a friend as the defence.

He was sentenced to 11 years in prison, and fined £47,000.

His case has been taken up by his local MEP Richard Corbett, and by the pressure group Fair Trials Abroad.

Mr Corbett complained to the Greek authorities that the British Embassy was not informed of Wilson's arrest until after his trial.

Pending appeal

Mr Wilson will have his case heard in the port town of Patras on Friday.

If he is successful he will be released on bail pending an appeal against his conviction.

His wife Tracey said she would not be flying out for the hearing because it would be too painful to leave him behind if he was not granted bail.

"We have been told an appeal would take eight months minimum," she said.

"It would be terrible to leave him in prison for that time."