Plymouth man to sue UK and Hungary governments over fraud arrests
A PLYMOUTH man who was held in a Hungarian jail for four months without trial is preparing to launch legal action against the UK and Hungarian authorities.
Jason McGoldrick said his life has been ruined after being extradited in November 2009 on suspicion of fraud after the collapse of a marketing company he ran with business partner Michael Turner in Hungary.
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The 38-year-old married father of two was thrown in jail alongside murderers and spent 24 hours a day in his cell before his unexpected release. Despite returning to the UK, the pair are still under investigation by Hungarian authorities but have never been charged, said Jason.
"This has ruined our lives," he said.
"When I was sat in prison I thought 'what a fine mess I have got myself in to' then I realised I hadn't done anything wrong."
Since his release in February last year, Jason has been unable to find work and has had trouble adapting to every day life.
"I had a great career ahead of me but if I were asked at an interview what I will be doing in a year and I say I could possibly be in a Hungarian prison, they aren't going to employ me," he said.
"And I've changed, I am not as outgoing as I was.
"I used to be a proper joker but now I am a lot more serious. It took my daughters a while to get used to me again which was pretty painful."
Jason, who now lives in Wolverhampton but whose mum is still in the city, said he is suing the Hungarian and British authorities over their misuse of the European Arrest Warrant which was used to extradite the pair.
Fair Trials International, which is helping Jason along with Michael, said "the European Arrest Warrant was intended to be used explicitly to extradite people to serve a prison sentence or for the purposes of a criminal prosecution.
"Fair Trials International is concerned that an extradition took place even though no decision had yet been made to prosecute for any criminal offence."
The Home Office says its extradition process was under review. The Hungarian Embassy was not available for comment.
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by mikethebike, plymouth
Tuesday, March 15 2011, 5:44AM
“@ROBROY, PLYMOUTH
Thank you for your comment sir.
I had not previously been aware of such an interpretation.
I lean more towards the belief that nothing substantial evolved for the peasantry.
Afterall was the main issue to encourage fraternal bonds between waring barons (illigimate and pig ignorant as most were) and to establish eternal rights to mastery over the populas by reigning monarchs?”
by ian, Plymouth
Tuesday, March 15 2011, 1:20AM
“I remember reading about this guys attempts to scam Hungarians sometime ago, seem to remember he set up in Hungary with a friend and ended up `loosing` a lot of other peoples money, something the Herald have ommitted to mention. Did not feel sorry for him then and feel even less so now he is trying to do the same to the taxpayers of this country.
He was arrested and extradited so he could be properly investigated and possibly tried for his alleged crimes. Seems there is no end to this conmans attempts to earn money for nothing. Somebody lock him up do us all a favour.”
by Tony, Bluebell Wood
Tuesday, March 15 2011, 12:10AM
“Beats me why anybody'd want to go abroad and start a business in Hungary(or any other foreign country) anyway..”
by Here we go again, Not in Plymouth anymore :(
Monday, March 14 2011, 8:37PM
“@Colin...
"No smoke without fire" is not a crass remark... it was a comment left on a forum by someone who wishes to do so, no different to you yourself in following up with your own.
As for whether a case was prepared or not is irrelevant, a warrant was issued and executed, I think what IT IS fair to say is that laws are different in different countries and Jason and Mike here did wrong... albeit the wrongs they committed in that country might not be seen to be serious wrongs here, never the less they did do wrong, I am sure the facts speak for themselves.
Who are you to say that they should not be held accountable for what they did in that other country...or indeed HOW they are held accountable.... if you feel the need to put the world to rights then maybe you should crusade and fight about every injustice that happens all over the world and unfortunately every day, just because a fellow Englishman is the one involved it shouldn't be reason enough to protect him from facing up and being responsible for actions he and his business partner CHOSE to take.
@ROBROY, in part I agree with you, but a law formed hundreds of years ago could not consider modern day transactions, again, it alone should not protect people from wrong doing.... The UK government should not be allowed to be held accountable.... when others who come to our country and commit crime ask for return to their own country (where laws may not see them punished) we as a nation are up in arms. Let's see the full details published and why the country who sought to pursue them for conviction did so.... the vehicle used is irrelevant, what I think is that we as a country are jealous that we don't use such tactics to pursue people we want to stand trial.”
by ROBROY, PLYMOUTH
Monday, March 14 2011, 6:54PM
“mikethebike, plymouth.
Magna Carta laid the basis for the writ of Habeas Corpus, (produce the body).
It meant that no man could be punished without appearing before a court of law.
(As opposed to the local Baron stringing you up from the castle gate because he was having a bad hair day).”
by Michelle, Plymouth
Monday, March 14 2011, 6:20PM
“I too was wondering where the comments disappeered to but they've re-appeared........very odd”
by D Meana (Miss), guzz
Monday, March 14 2011, 4:14PM
“Karen, not too sure if you meant those comments or wanted to provoke a reaction. If you meant them you live a very small insular life. Please try and get out abit more.”
by Get Us Out, Plymouth
Monday, March 14 2011, 2:31PM
“'As for the commnets about the EU..... did not YOU people vote for entrance to it.... pay the piper as to say????'
Dave Devonport, plymouth
Dave
You would have to be 53 + to have had any say in joining the EU (Common Market as was) so a huge amount of people didn't vote for it. Given the massive changes brought about without a vote since 1975 it is time the British people were given a chance to vote on our continued membership. About time we got out i think”
by Jay, Plymouth
Monday, March 14 2011, 2:15PM
“Sue them for all you can.
An example needs to be made of how this country has sold out the rights of the UK people to some backwater group of countries who can at will have us arrested in our own country then transported to virtual heallish conditions in their skanky little country.
I hope this happens to you shortly Karen, then maybe you will appreciate the importance of not having a government who is busy selling your freedom out from under you !
Innocent until proven guilty thicko !”
by Gusto, In a pot hole somewhere
Monday, March 14 2011, 2:04PM
“Quote from above "And I've changed, I am not as outgoing as I was"
Methinks he's play another fraudulant game to get some compensation for doing be-all. Sponger!”