I was a senior executive in Hong Kong for over 20 years. In 2008 I moved to Thailand to open a new business and through a chain of terrible events I got arrested on trumped up drug charges. Despite fighting the allegations at every stage, I was sentenced to life imprisonment. I spent ten and a half years in various maximum security Thai prisons, sleeping on the floor amid massive overcrowding and in constant fear of my safety.
I was transferred back to England about three years ago to serve the rest of my sentence and was released in March into a totally different world after thirteen and a half years in jail. I have a huge gap in my resume and the undeserved stigma of criminality which makes going forward an enormous challenge. All my money went on legal costs long ago and I’ve been living hand to mouth for what seems like forever.
Although born and raised in England I’ve spent 40 years overseas and know very few people here. It’s been a struggle to avoid homelessness but I now have a room to call my own. What I don’t have are any resources to help me find work, down to the basics of a wardrobe to attend interviews for future employment.
I’d be truly grateful for any support that can provide me with a leg and allow me to re-enter society and to have some sort of life after such a very long time away.