New twist in Stow case (From Western Telegraph)

New twist in Stow case

The Milford Haven brothers serving 12 years for drug smuggling have apparently been placed back on remand in preparation for a re-trial.

Andrew and Graham Stow were arrested in Faro in the Algarve in July 1999 after almost 800 kilos of cannabis worth £3 million was found in packages on the seabed under the mooring of their converted trawler.

The brothers were found guilty by a panel of judges in a trial which has been criticised for allegedly excluding crucial evidence.

Details of the situation in Portugal are sketchy, with the Foreign Office unable to confirm or deny rumours that the brothers sentence has been quashed.

The issue is further obscured by uncertainty over the role of Mr Adrian Jenkins who has repeatedly described himself as legal representative to the Stow brothers father, Dilwyn.

Sarah De Mas, deputy director of Fair Trials Abroad, said: 'We are representing the Stow brothers as far as I am aware. Mr Stow told us that he had dismissed Mr Jenkins. We have no knowledge that the sentence has been quashed.'

Mr Dilwyn Stow said: I have had a very encouraging letter from Fair Trials Abroad, which has taken a very keen interest in this. Mr Jenkins has called me to say that the sentence had been quashed.

'One of my sons called from Portugal and told me that they were back on remand. I don't know if it will be a re-trial or what. It's back to square one which is quite encouraging. Its not quite what I want. I want them to be let out with apologies and I'm sure that will happen in time.

'Mr Jenkins doesnt represent me. He has made a lot of phone calls and sent a lot of faxes and in that way, he has been very useful. I have legal representation in Portugal, two solicitors whom I pay enormous amounts of money to prove the innocence of my sons.'