suspected dealer to die in prison

[David]

Quote:
Dying prisoner refused bail to return home
By Andy Whelan
A cannabis dealer given two months to live by cancer specialists has been refused permission to leave prison and say goodbye to his family.

Ben Zarins, 29, has been held on remand since January after being caught with 10kg of cannabis and admitting possession with intent to supply.

Last month he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He has not yet been sentenced but the court will not let him return home to die.

Benjamin's tearful father Steve last night begged the High Court to grant his son bail when the case is heard in London on Tuesday (June 10).

A judge refused bail on May 30 and an appeal against the decision was rejected on Tuesday (June 3).

The 59-year-old, of Nightingale Walk, Billinghurst, said: "All I want is for Ben to come home and be with his family.

"It breaks my heart to think of him dying in a prison hospital, surrounded by people who don't care about him.

"I know he was dealing grass but he would never physically harm anyone. It isn't as if he a murderer.

"He said to me his dying wish is to spend a week in a canal boat on the River Thames with his family.

"If he was released he wouldn't go anywhere, he wouldn't have the strength. He needs daily medical attention."

Ben was arrested on January 12 and his home in New England Road, Brighton, was raided.

Police also took £700 from Mr Zarins's home, even though he claims he did not know about his son's dealings.

After pleading guilty, Benjamin was sent to Brixton then Redditch prisons.

He was sick and his skin and eyes turned yellow on April 14. He moved to Lewes prison on April 16 and a couple of weeks later was diagnosed with cancer.

He has had chemotherapy at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton and is being treated in Lewes prison hospital.

Ben, who worked as a builder, has two children. He told family he does not think he is getting the standard of care he needs.

His sister Samantha, 33, a hairdresser, said: "If he was left to die on prison it would destroy everybody.

"We know he broke the law and he had accepted he needed to serve his time. But this is an exceptional case and needs to be dealt with compassionately.

"Ben says he wasn't given medical care quickly enough. He says they ignored his requests to see a doctor."

When questioned about the standard of care at Lewes Prison, a spokesman from the Ministry of Justice said: "We are not able to comment on individual prisoners."[/quote]

sorry, this is sick!