‘My husband’s a hero, not a football thug’: Wife’s anguish after British fireman is jailed

Garry Mann and family

MAIL ON SUNDAY - JULIE CROSS

A retired British fireman twice commended for bravery but now in jail in Portugal is the victim of an extraordinary betrayal by British politicians and the European legal system, according to his partner.

Speaking out for the first time, Suzanne Lloyd-Baker said flaws in the European Arrest Warrant (EAW) legislation have left Garry Mann, 52, jailed for a crime he did not commit after a highly questionable trial process – and that others could suffer the same fate.

She is lobbying the Government to take up her campaign for his release. His cause has the support of a senior judge who called the case a ‘travesty of justice’, and campaigners Fair Trials International (FTI).

Jago Russell, chief executive of FTI, also says the EAW needs to be reviewed.

‘It’s removed all political discretion in extradition decisions,’ he said. ‘It was intended to deliver justice, but the current system is actually resulting in cases of serious injustice.’