PARTNER FIGHTS FOR ‘HOOLIGAN’ GARRY MANN’S FREEDOM

Garry Mann and his family

KENT NEWS

The partner of a retired firefighter who was branded a football thug and thrown in a Portuguese jail has made an emotional plea to the Government to help bring him home.

The 40-year-old, who admitted the family was finding it hard to cope with what happened, vowed to never give up hope.

"It’s no use sitting here and doing nothing for Garry," she said. "We’re trying to get support from the top to get him home."

Mr Mann – who was twice commended for bravery during his 31-year career in the fire service – was sent to prison in Portugal in May after a European Arrest Warrant (EAW) was issued relating to a disturbance in the Algarve resort of Albufeira in 2004.

Despite appeals and fights by Fair Trials International, he was extradited to Portugal in May to serve a two-year sentence.