Drug accused in Thai court

Michael Connell could face the death penalty

A man accused of smuggling 3,400 ecstasy tablets into Thailand has appeared in court.

Michael Connell, 19, from Bury, Greater Manchester, has not yet officially entered a plea to the charges.

If he is found guilty Mr Connell, who has learning difficulties, could face the death penalty or up to 99 years in prison.

On Monday the case was adjourned to 23 February, before Mr Connell was taken back to Bangkok's Klong Prem prison.

He has claimed the drugs were placed in tubs of body cream - without his knowledge - that he bought at a supermarket in Greater Manchester.

Michael climbed up to show us his leg irons and they're not little they are big, heavy duty irons Derek Connell, father

Mr Connell has been held at the Klong Prem prison, dubbed the Bangkok Hilton, since he was arrested last November.

On Monday his father Derek - who visited Mr Connell in prison - described his son as gullible and naive.

His visit was the first contact - apart from two letters - that he has had with his son since his arrest.

Mr Connell said his overriding impression of the jail was the noisy environment.

He said: "It's very noisy. You realise your son's coming when you hear the clanking of the chains, clanking, clanking, clanking.

"Every step, you hear the clanking of the chains.

"Michael climbed up to show us his leg irons and they're not little they are big, heavy duty irons."

Mr Connell's son was arrested after the ecstasy - which had a street value of $85,000 according to the Thai Customs Department - was allegedly found following an X-ray scan of his luggage.

Mr Connell's visit to his son can be seen on BBC One at 1930 GMT on Monday.