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Brit man found not guilty of drug charges

Living in Peru
Jobana Soto

After two years forced to live in Peru under suspicion of drug smuggling, British citizen Simon Burke can now go home a free man and spend the holiday season with his family. 

“I feel absolutely delighted,” he told reporters on reuniting with his father back in Britain.

In June 2007, Burke, 37, was arrested with his former girlfriend, Sarah Jackson, 39, for allegedly smuggling 10kg of cocaine out of Jorge Chavez International Airport. The drugs where found in Jackson’s bag according to police officials.

The two were jailed but Jackson insisted on Burke’s innocence and was then released with his passport revoked. Burke spent the last two years living with a local family until he was proven not guilty.

BBC News did a special report on Burke’s revisit to the prison where he was once held. Click here to see the video. 

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# jb says :
December 10, 2008 [ 15:16 ]

He's a very lucky guy.

# Junior says :
December 10, 2008 [ 22:19 ]

Was this the guy who got beaten up at one point???

# The Campaign to Get Simon Burke Home says :
January 5, 2009 [ 11:50 ]

Are people aware that Simon is still being held in Peru? He has not been back to the UK for two years now !!

The prosecution have appealed the verdict and now his life is on hold yet again.

See the Facebook Group "Get Simon Burke Home" for all the latest developments

http://en-gb.facebook.com/group.php?gid=30976628876

# The Campaign to Get Simon Burke Home says :
February 6, 2009 [ 6:48 ]

We are raising funds to help with Simon's living expenses whilst he is waiting for the appeal to conclude.

Please help - details at:

http://en-gb.facebook.com/group.php?gid=3097662887

Thank you!!

# The Campaign to Get Simon Burke Home says :
February 6, 2009 [ 6:50 ]

Correction to the above: 

The link to Simon's fund can be located at:

http://en-gb.facebook.com/group.php?gid=30976628876

# Splaktar says :
April 5, 2009 [ 14:54 ]

Living in Peru really needs to either post an update to this article or post a new one about how he is still trapped in Peru.  The prosecution appealed the case and it appears that the appeal will not be heard until possibly May 2009.  Until then they are still holding his passport and he is not allowed to leave Peru.

I just saw the show on Discovery Channel "Locked up Abroad: Cusco".  This along with the other Locked Up Abroad show from Lima that I saw, shed a lot of light on some very serious issues that tourists should be aware of when coming to Peru.

The biggest of them is that you are guilty (and jailed) until proven innocent.  This can mean months and even years in jail for innocent people.  Prisons for men are overcrowded, violent, and dangerous.  Peruvian laws are not the same as those in the US or Europe and they are not enforced in the same way (very inconsistent).

"British citizen Simon Burke can now go home a free man and spend the holiday season with his family." <- This statement by the article is False and some kind of follow up or correction needs to be posted here at LIP.

# Simon Burke Supporter says :
April 6, 2009 [ 8:45 ]

Please can we have an update to this story.

# Dona S. says :
April 8, 2009 [ 15:29 ]

Simon, our prayers are with you, keep positive, we have "Paypal"ed some money for your cause, God is with you. Waco, TX

# Rodrigo says :
April 26, 2009 [ 0:44 ]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA Rot in jail.

# phantom says :
April 26, 2009 [ 12:00 ]

Rodrigo, it is funny you say that as I believe your brain is rotting in your head from lack of use.

# Pepe says :
May 28, 2009 [ 20:58 ]

Rodrigo, What goes around comes around.................

# Pepe says :
June 28, 2009 [ 13:31 ]

Rodrigo,,,,,, Ur name says it all. you must be the KINGPIN! 

# mrsrsm says :
July 3, 2009 [ 2:13 ]

I don't usually waste time commenting on blogs, but this story captured me! This is worth the read yall! I was arrested in a similar situation (thankfully in the US) while grocery shopping at my MS neighborhood WalMart. A guy friend from work had asked me one Sunday if I could drop him off at a friend's house when we got off. I explained I had to meet my ex-husband to get my daughter in a few hours in LA, but I had to stop at WalMart first to get groceries for the week. He said that was perfect for him because his car was broken and he had to get a few things as well.
 
While I was in line for the deli, the chocolate donuts caught my eye. I snuk over and cheated my diet and ate one. Meanwhile, my 'friend' had purchased his items and came back inside. After two hours of shopping, he put 3 packs of sudafed and 5 bottles of Heat (something for your car gas tank)in MY cart. My budget was already broken so I asked, "what are you doing?!" He assured me not to worry; he would give me the money for it at the register-and that he openly did. I checked out all of my $200 items and walked out, only to have 3 policeman and all walmart security chase us down.

They yelled , "Lady, did you pay for everything you had in that basket?" I was thinking OH NO...OF COURSE I DID!! What could've he done? Later I realized they were able to detain me for shoplifting because of my urge to eat the damn donut. While I was shopping, my 'friend' had bought and put in my car 6 packs of sudafed and more of that car stuff! This immediately alerted WalMart security to watch us because those are all precursors to crystal meth! You can't even buy these products in that quantity anymore. I had NO IDEA of these products. I even said the same thing Sara told the police, "You can drug test me. I promise I don't do drugs!" I was assured they weren't concerned if I did drugs; I was ten times worse because I was manufacturing and distrubuting!!!  I was just thinking , "WTF? Are you serious???" I was waiting for Ashton Kutcher to jump out or something.

After being interrogated for hours, and because I knew nothing and had no information on where we were going with the supplies, they gave up and locked me up. They figured I would get tired of jail and start talking eventually. I explained that if they had waited and followed us leaving WalMart, they would've found where we were going. Until that point, I had NO FCKN IDEA where I was bringing him! Realizing their screw up, they were pissed I was right and couldn't go back and change it. So they charged me with shoplifting and felony intent to manufacture and distribute methamphetamines!! I answered all of their questions best I could and pissed them off by repeating that I wanted to take a lie detector test. LOL. I even bought some great value brand 
sandwich bags,of all days, for my daughter's peanut butter and jelly lunches. I had never been arrested in my life so I had no idea what I was in for. I didn't know what my 'friend' was saying in the next room either. He could've blamed the entire thing on me. I just stuck with the truth. Because of the seriousness of the methlab epidemic around here, courts have NO mercy even for innocent first time offenders.

Being a waitress and a single mother, this incident upfront cost me $11,000 in fines, jailtime, my job, and temporary custody of my daughter. To top it all off, all this gave me a very serious run in with major depression for the last two years, which landed me in an ER with a nervous breakdown! Then it was off to the looney bin under suicide watch for several weeks. Mine was just a situation like Simon's where I could do nothing different because I didn't know what was going on. He was just being a nice guy and going along with the girl for company. I was just giving a guy a ride and helping him out with his car I thought! This has been a horrible experience for me and I still can't get a job because of it-especially in this economy. That is a number one reason for depression. How can I provide for my family? This is a true story and anyone can message me if they have a question.

Simon, if you're reading, hang in there. I will think and pray for you everyday now. I can't even imagine going through what I went through away from home. I was crying the whole show-and not for HER!! I do feel sympathy for her now but she knew all along that could put you in danger. I actually am trying to take some of your pain away and put it on myself!!! Is that possible with empathy?

Everyone else reading, learn about whom you let in your car and your house around your kids! Think about where you are and whom you are with at all times. Do not let anything like this ever happen to you. But how will you know when you are truly innocent? It's scary. 





   

# Campaign to Get Simon Burke Home says :
July 3, 2009 [ 4:31 ]

mrsrsm - that is a truly shocking story. I can only begin to imagine the frustration, anger and despair you must have felt. Just getting people to listen and empathise is part of the battle back from such a terrible ordeal and Simon has been helped tremendously by people taking the time to write to him and leave support messages. I hope your situation will improve very very soon.

If any of Simon's supporters are reading, please could you take a few minutes to sign the petition at 

http://www.gopetition.co.uk/online/29075.html 

# mrsrsm says :
July 3, 2009 [ 8:56 ]

Oh I have already signed the petition before I commented. I also put your group on my 4th of July facebook wall with the link to the petition and the fundraiser articles. I hope Simon knows there are people praying for him.

# Ozziesdad says :
July 12, 2009 [ 5:12 ]

Can someone please confirm or deny that fact that Simon is now home in the UK.   There seems to be some confusion....  Also, does anyone know Simon's direct email address in Peru, if he is indeed still there?

# Campaign to Get Simon Burke Home says :
July 13, 2009 [ 6:40 ]

Hi Ozziesdad

As of today (13th July) Simon is still in Lima - we hope he really is in the final few weeks of his "stay" in Peru. If you are on Facebook please search for the group "Get Simon Burke Home" and join - you will get all the latest news there and you can link up with Simon directly (he is a member of the group). 

If you are not a Facebook user you can still view the page at

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=30976628876&ref=mf

Hope this helps.

# Raktim says :
August 11, 2009 [ 13:56 ]

I am so sorry to read this page. I just watched Simon's documentary and came to internet to check if that was really true - and I found this page.

I have already written to Simon on Facebook. I would like to tell mrsrsm that... possibly I cannot do anything to reduce your anger and pain and frustration... but please know that you have a friend also in India.

# John says :
August 14, 2009 [ 17:17 ]

My Heart went out for Simon when I watched the documentary.

I sure am gonna remember Simon in my prayers everyday and I sure believe that he will be back home very very soon.

Atleast i'm happy that Simon has all these true friends on whom he can put his trust on - who want him to be back home safe and soon except for Rodrigo whos brains already rotten (God save u man). Simon if u r reading this "Dont loose hope my friend - When God is for us, who can be against us" - John from India

# Greg D'Arcy says :
October 1, 2009 [ 17:32 ]

Simon,
Saw your documentary on TV here in ireland tonight. Hang in there. Hope you are well. Remember there are still a lot of good people out there.
Lots of love,
Greg (Dublin, Ireland)

# jobe says :
October 14, 2009 [ 3:02 ]

in australia the show is called banged up abroad i watch it every week, but simons story gave me a lump in my throat when they showed the actual footage of him in the airport saying he knew nothing about the drugs and was just there on holiday, he doesn't deserve what he's been put through. i wish i could do something for him and i wish him luck in getting home

# Campaign to Get Simon Burke Home says :
October 14, 2009 [ 3:27 ]

Hi Greg

Thanks for your kind comment.

Good news! Simon finally returned to the UK this weekend just gone, after 2 years 9 months away from home.

# Nisha says :
December 7, 2009 [ 10:19 ]

Hi,

Are you sure, he is back home? Wow! I am so happy for him :)
He definetly looks like an innocent man, and I can see that he really is. I feel sad that it took so long for him to get actually free...

# nayan says :
January 5, 2010 [ 15:03 ]

this is one of the saddest stories i ve ever seen ! in india the show is called jailed abroad ! this story really touched me ! im so sorry for simon ! and it really showed how cruel the world we live in is ! 

# El Loco says :
January 28, 2010 [ 19:09 ]

Just like to say iam delighted that the train made it back in one piece.
He was my bi atch in prison.I was the trains first and unfortunately for him not the last by a long shot.
Everyone in the jail had a ride.

# Angela Sophie says :
April 8, 2010 [ 18:09 ]

Hi all Im from Australia and jsut read about Simons Story the other night on tv ( 7th april 2010) I jsut wanted to confirm that he is out of Peru and is there a way we can contact him as I dont have a facebook account.

thanks

# Richard Langford says :
July 14, 2010 [ 9:56 ]

Saw the program tonight on National Geographic. What a story! what a relief he got home and cleared of all charges.

# jeya says :
July 14, 2010 [ 11:17 ]

just saw locked up abroad in Malaysia. sad this could still happen to someone in this so called modern age. had to find out his fate. great news that he is back home and his nightmare hopefully over

# Ed says :
August 5, 2010 [ 4:18 ]

They showed this program in Holland yesterday night and man, I feel so sorry for this poor guy Simon. Best wishes and good luck for the future!

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