BBC1 radio host and drum'n'bass DJ
Grooverider has been sentenced to four years in prison in Dubai for cannabis possession.
The sentence, which is the minimum for drug possession in the United Arab Emirates, was handed down in court yesterday.
Grooverider, whose real name is Raymond Bingham, was arrested for possession of pornography and drugs shortly after arriving at Dubai Airport on November 23, 2007 after 2.16 grams of cannabis was found in a trouser pocket in his luggage. The pornography charges were later dropped.
Earlier this month, Bingham admitted in court that the marijuana, the equivalent of two joints, was his, but said he had forgotten it was there. In his defence, Bingham's lawyers argued that the DJ had no knowledge of Dubai's strict laws regarding marijuana possession.
This latest sentence follows that of a British woman who was also sentenced to four years on February 6, 2008 for possession of 0.34 grams of marijuana. The UAE has been cracking down on drug smuggling by installing new drug detection equipment in its airports, according to UAE newspaper 7Days.
Grooverider's weekly radio show on BBC Radio1 with
Fabio will continue to be hosted by his partner. BBC have not issued any further statement since the sentencing.
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