25-year-old Townsville man Nicholas James Langan has received a 12-month jail sentence in Bali, Indonesia, overnight – after being caught sharing a joint on a Bali Beach in January this year.
Langan’s sentence was less than originally predicted—a four year sentence for personal narcotics use—and was also served to his local driver Hanung Pekik Hermantoro who was with Langan at the time of arrest. The sentencing follows Indonesian President Joko Widodo‘s hardline stance on drug use in the country – strict policy which led to Australian Bali 9 smugglers Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran‘s deaths by firing squad earlier this year.
In January, Bali police seized less than a gram of cannabis and half of a smoked joint from Langan and Hermantoro. By contrast, Langan’s sentencing is heavier than similar cases before him – Indonesian man and friend of Schapelle Corby Ben Panangian was caught with over 8 grams of the drug and received a 10-month sentence last year.
Last month, Langan apologised to local prosecutors, asking to for his release to Australia.
“I am very sorry and I am appealing to the mercy of your Honours to send me home to Australia. My last five months have been traumatic but I have learned valuable lessons and have become a better person for my suffering. I want to thank police and prison staff. They have treated me humanely and fairly. Sirs, I was wrong, I am sorry, please let me go home.”
Via SMH.
Title image by Jerry Redfern via Getty.
