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Michael Alan Connell
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Latest news Michael Connell - sentenced reduced
We are pleased to inform you that yesterday Michael went to the Criminal Court and the judgement of the Appeals Court was read to him. The said court reduced his sentence from life imprisonment to 30 years imprisonment. -
Full Story
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INMATE DETAILS & RELIVENT INFORMATION
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NAME:
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Michael Alan Connell
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AGE:
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19 Years Old (as of March 2004)
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ORIGIN:
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Bury in Greater Manchester, United Kingdom
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ARRESTED:
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At the Bangkok Don Muang airport on 10th November 2003.
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PRISON CONTACT:
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Currently Michael is detained in Bangkwang Central Prison.
Please write to Michael or just send a postcard with a few words.
The British Consulate has to note how many letters he gets and your support
will keep him going.
Mr Michael Connell [UK]
Building # 12
Bangkwang Central Prison
117 Nonthaburi Road
Nonthaburi Bangkok
11000 Thailand
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CRIME:
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Michael had just landed in the Bangkok airport where Thai customs officials were waiting for him. They knew his name, the flight he was on, what he was carrying and what he was wearing. Obviously, they had been tipped off within Thailand. The only people that knew what Michael was wearing were the passengers of that same flight. The only people that knew what he was carrying were the drug dealers that forced Michael to take 3,400 ecstasy tablets into Bangkok to repay the debts he had racked up. Somewhere between Pattaya and Bangkok, someone made a phone call and informed on Michael. That same someone walked through Thai customs as Michael was being arrested. That same someone carried a suitcase full of drugs and was never apprehended.
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SENTENCE:
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Michael was sentenced by the Thai Court on 23rd March 2004 to 99 Years. His Defence lawyer Prutti Kuranon said Michael Alan Connell had escaped a death sentence by agreeing to enter the plea ‘guilty’. |
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CONTACT:
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Email: kaydanes@foreignprisoners.com
All enquiries and offers of support will be forwarded to the family.
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APPEAL FOR MERCY: :
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Michael accepts that he deserves punishment for his crime however, he deserves another chance.
This is his first offence. He is genuinely a good person, missed and loved by family and friends. Young and naive, he made a decision with fatal consequences and will never have another shot at life if he is to serve the full 99-year sentence.
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HOW CAN YOU HELP?:
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IMPORTANT NOTICE
REGARDING CARE PACKAGES
Drug trade in Thailand prisons leads to ban on prison gifts
Read More Here
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Please write your concerns to the following and request they do everything within their power to
bring Michael Connell back to the UK.
Prime Minister Tony Blair:
10 Downing Street London
SW1A 2AA
Douglas Alexander MP or Jack Straw MP:
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
King Charles Street
London SW1A 2AH Write to your local MP or MEP. |
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LETTER FROM MICHAEL’S FATHER
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… I know he will be very grateful for any letters of support, which he receives. A lot of people are kind enough to write to Michael and he tries to reply to everyone, but it does take him a little time to reply. You must appreciate that the British Embassy only allow Michael £25.00 each week and Michael must budget for his food and cigarettes out of that money as well as stationary and postage stamps. So don't be disheartened if it takes a few weeks before you receive a reply.
Kay Danes and the FPSS are doing a great job in keeping Michael and his family informed of any supporters Michael has. As Michael's father, I offer my grateful thanks for their assistance and help.
Again, I offer my thanks for your support and remain,
Yours sincerely, Derek J. Connell.
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PETITION
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PETITION for Michael Connell
Please also take the time to sign the petition for Michael Connell if you haven't already done so.
CLICK HERE FOR PETITION
Foreign Prisoner Support Service appreciate the time you have taken to
read this short biography about Michael. We hope that you will write to him and
inspire him to endure the harsh conditions he is continuing to face. Michael
accepts that he deserves punishment for his crime. However, he deserves another
chance. This is his first offence and Michael is a genuinely good person,
missed and loved by family and friends. Young and naive, he made a decision
with fatal consequences and will never have another shot at life if he is to serve the full 99-year sentence.
Please would you take a look at this website and sign the petition and
even write a letter if you have the time. Would you send the link to as
many people as possible with this message.
CLICK HERE TO VISIT WEBSITE & SIGN PETITION
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NEWS & INFORMATION UPDATES
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Latest news Michael Connell - November 2008
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The FPSS has received updated information on Michael who is now in building 12 in
Bangkwang Central Prison. He now works in the prison hospital and
pharmacy. For such a young lad he is remarkably strong and a survivor - I
hope, although he did go through a really bad patch earlier this year and
was not well at all. I am in contact with him and see him when I return
to Thailand each year.
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Latest news Michael Connell - sentenced reduced
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Letter Received by Michaels Father April 28, 2006
Dear Mr. Connell,
We are pleased to inform you that yesterday Michael went to the Criminal Court and the judgement of the Appeals Court was read to him. The said court reduced his sentence from life imprisonment to 30 years imprisonment.
We understand that Michael does not wish to further appeal his case to the Dika Court (Supreme Court) shall have to see him in Bangkwnag Central Prison to have his confirmation.
Yours faithfully,
Bangkok Legal Associates Law Office
Puttri Kuvanonda
Click Here for Archive of Letter
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Michael Connell Update 26 Jan 2006
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Michael has mentioned that he is getting sent a number of International
postage coupons. He says that no one in the prison [guards] knows what to
do with them. They are just a card with writing on and no directions of
what to do. None of the other prisoners know either so he said that it is
best to stop people sending them. Michael says that he is happy to write to
people and requests that if they are able, then they can send a care parcel
so that he can share with the other prisoners who have nothing.
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Michael Connell Update 05 November 2005
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At this stage, the idea of prisoner transfer treaty [repatreation to the
UK.] is not an attractive proposition for Michael Connell or any UK
prisoner for that matter. It would mean that Micheal would have to serve
his sentence in a UK prison granted but would not be eligible for parole
until he served 50% of his sentence. [That equates to 49 years and 6
months.] Given these circumstances, Michael would prefer to remain in Bang
Kwang prison Thailand where at least he could hope for a King's Pardon
which are given annually.
For the time being, Michael is waiting for news of his appeal and we hope
it will be positive. The UK Government needs to renegotiate with the Thai
Government a better prisoner Transfer treaty.
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Michael Connell BIO
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Michael Allen Connell was born on the 8th of April, 1984 in Bury, Greater Manchester. He was a very caring, inquisitive child who loved to learn. He did quite well in his first reception year of primary school but when he moved into the first year it became apparent that Michael couldn't keep up with the other children. He became very angry and upset as learning became a constant struggle and his primary teacher would massage his temples to sooth him. His very first teacher adored Michael and he adored her but when Michael left her class, other teachers weren't as understanding. When Michael went to High School, his learning difficulties became a real frustration to this otherwise bright boy. Michael was born deaf in on ear and was sometimes sat in a desk with his unhearing ear to the class and then accused of not listening. Due to all these factors Michael began to lose his confidence and learnt to hate school.
It was a constant struggle to keep Michael at school as he had lost all confidence in himself. Finally he was sent to an adult learning centre for 12 hours a week which was a disgrace. He was not given the chance to progress and get the education he needed to fulfill his ambitions. When Michael left school, he worked in a number of factories but was not happy at the jobs. Just before he left to Thailand, he was unemployed and very down.
No one knew that Michael was going to Thailand. The next time we saw him he was on the news, being led away by the police. The horror of this image is something that all who love Michael will never forget. he was shouting 'family I love you all. I am more worried about you than myself'. Michael turned 21 in April. He has now served 2 years of his sentence and has another 97 years to go.
If you know Michael or you have met him then you will know that he is far from a hardened criminal. In fact, he is a very sensitive soul who loves animals and always looked after the younger ones in his family. He had never been in trouble with the police in the UK and the trip to Thailand was his first time away on his own. Michael's learning problems made him an easy target and now he is paying a terrible price. For all those who support our cause we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Kind regards, Derek Connell.
(Michael's father)
Write to:
Mr Michael Connell [UK]
Building # 12
Bangkwang Central Prison
117 Nonthaburi Road
Nonthaburi Bangkok
11000 Thailand
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ARTICLES & LINKS
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TREATY BETWEEN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND SIAM RESPECTING THE EXTRADITION OF
FUGITIVE CRIMINALS.
