Nicholas John Baker

Nick Baker
Born
Gloucestershire, England
Occupationchef
Criminal statusParoled in October 2008
ParentIris Baker
Criminal chargeDrug smuggling
Penalty11 years' imprisonment,
¥3,000,000 fine

Nicholas John 'Nick' Baker is a British citizen who was convicted of smuggling cocaine and ecstasy into Japan. He was arrested at Narita Airport on 13 April 2002 and found guilty by the Chiba Prefecture District Court in June 2003. He was sentenced to 14 years' jail with forced labour and fined ¥5,000,000.[1] At his trial Baker claimed that he was tricked by his travelling companion, James Prunier, into carrying the drugs through customs in a false-bottomed suitcase.[2] Baker also claimed that during his initial detention he was mistreated by Japanese authorities with sleep deprivation, no access to legal counsel, and that he was forced to sign a confession written in poor and inaccurate English. Baker's conviction was upheld on appeal but Baker's sentence was reduced to 11 years in prison and the fine to ¥3,000,000. Baker was transferred back to England in the Spring of 2008 to serve the remainder of his sentence.[3] After spending six-months at London's Wandsworth prison, Baker was released on licence in October 2008.[4]

  1. ^ Ito, Masami (28 October 2005). "Drug felon Nick Baker's sentence reduced to 11 years". Kyodo News. Japan Today. Archived from the original on 13 October 2007. Retrieved 2007-07-20.
  2. ^ "Briton questioned in Japanese court during appeal of drug smuggling sentence". Associated Press. 7 December 2004.
  3. ^ Tilley, Emma (21 May 2008). "Nick Baker Sent Back to Britain to Finish Jail Sentence". Japan Today. Retrieved 2008-08-04.
  4. ^ "Stroud businessman convicted of drug trafficking finally freed". Wiltshire and Gloustershire Standard. 7 December 2008. Retrieved 2008-11-11.