DJ Grooverider Jailed for Four Years in Dubai

A Radio 1 DJ recognized as one of the pioneers of drum'n'bass music was yesterday sentenced in Dubai to four years in prison for possession of cannabis. Groove rider, whose real name is Raymond Bingham, was found guilty of possession and illegally bringing marijuana into the United Arab Emirates.

He was arrested at Dubai airport on November 23 last year after police found a small transparent bag containing 2.16g of the drug in his luggage. The four-year sentence was the minimum term allowed under UAE law, which takes a hard line on drugs. Recently a string of travelers have been arrested as Dubai's popularity as a tourism and business destination has increased.

At an earlier hearing, Bingham had argued that he had no intention of bringing the drug into the country. "The drugs were in my possession and I forgot I had them in my trousers," he said. The DJ has two weeks to appeal.

Grooverider, a prominent name in music circles since the 1990s when he helped popularize drum'n'bass, was to play a set at a nightclub in the city. In an interview after he had been jailed he said: "I just want this to end. I want to leave and never come back."

Alongside DJ partner Fabio, he has presented a Radio 1 show for several years. It is understood that, because he is employed as a freelance, the BBC has not paid Groove rider since his arrest in November.

Earlier this month the charity Fair Trials International warned that travelers were falling foul of the tough regime at Dubai airport. It highlighted cases including that of Keith Brown, who was arrested after a rolled up cigarette was discovered in the sole of his shoe. He was charged with possession of 0.003g of cannabis and jailed for four years.

Fair Trials added that it had had reports of a Swiss national who was sentenced to four years in prison in the UAE after three poppy seeds from a bread roll were found on his clothes.