Jailed driver's family complains Distraught and furious relatives of a
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driver held in a Belgian jail for four months accused of smuggling nine immigrants are to make an official complaint against a member of the British Consulate in Brussels, who allegedly told them he thinks the driver is guilty before he has even gone to trial. Doreen Wincott, sister of 57-year-old Essex driver Len Smith, says he was arrested in Bruges on 20 December and has since been held in a Brussels jail. Wincott says her brother's wife Elizabeth was devastated by the alleged comments from Gerry Davies of the British Consulate Division. "How dare he pass judgement on Len before he has even been to court?" asks Wincott.
Her words are echoed by Danneke Neale of the Driver's Family Help Line: "He can't be allowed to play judge and jury." Neale has written to the Foreign Office complaining about Davies' alleged behaviour.
Wincott says Smith is extremely upset by what has happened. He also has heart problems.
Davies declines to comment on the Smith case.