Grooverider Dubai arrest update

Grooverider Dubai arrest update

8 January, 2008 | 7.06AM

• Section: Music News
• Written by: Terry Church

Drum & bass star Grooverider has criticised the British Consulate of Dubai for doing little to help his cause - six weeks ago the DJ was arrested for cannabis and hardcore porn, and he’s been locked up ever since.

In an interview with a Dubai newspaper conducted in his cell he said: “I’m alright, it could have definitely been worse.

“I spend my time reading and catching up on things in here.

“I have no clue what’s happening on the outside, but I hope for all this to end soon.”

But Grooverider - real name Raymond Bingham - was less than impressed with the consular assistance.

“The British Consulate officials are a joke,” he claimed.

“They just threw me leaflets and that was that.

“This is ridiculous. I must have forgotten the spliff. It was a small amount. Back home I would not even get prosecuted.”

Support has come from the drum & bass community, where Grooverider is seen as something of a godfather.

Thousands of people have added their names to a Facebook group calling for Grooverider to be freed.

The DJ faces a minimum jail term of four years for the possession of cannabis, however no court date has been issued.

The BBC, where Grooverider presents its flagship drum & bass radio show, has yet to comment.

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