Father-of-five's 100-day ordeal in one of Africa's most overcrowded and dangerous prisons
Father-of-five's 100-day ordeal in one of Africa's most overcrowded and dangerous prisons
Mountain rescue volunteer Paul Inch is heading home to Wales after a 'simple four-day job' turned into a nightmare in one of the country's most notorious prisons
Father-of-five Paul Inch is a mountain bike guide and works as a volunteer with the Welsh Mountain Rescue
They slept head-to-toe on a single mattress, locked in a dark cell beside violent offenders. The water burned their skin. Rats crawled over them at night. For 100 days, Paul Inch and colleague Richard Perham survived inside one of West Africa's most overcrowded and dangerous prisons. Then, for 42 more days, they remained trapped in Guinea, unable to leave.
Now – 142 days after they first arrived in the country – they are finally flying home. Paul, 50, from Wales, and Richard, 29, of Bristol, had travelled to Guinea to support the recovery of equipment from a high-altitude research balloon.
It was meant to be a simple four-day job. But within days, they were arrested and accused of espionage, sedition, breaching national defence, and violating airspace by the authorities.
Paul Inch is a mountain bike guide, water safety officer, and works as a volunteer with the Welsh Mountain Rescue
Paul Inch said: "This is a nightmare we never imagined. In my work as a mountain bike guide, water safety officer, and as a volunteer with the Welsh Mountain Rescue, I understand the meaning of responsibility.
"I was in Guinea, doing my job, trusting that everything was in order. Yet I was locked away for 100 days in unbearable conditions.'
Article continues below
His detention also tore him away from his wife, their five children, and his three brothers. They were left to hold their families together throughout this traumatic ordeal. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here
Richard Perham and Paul Inch at the prison in Conakry with a fellow inmate
The two men were imprisoned in Conakry Central Prison, a facility operating at 475% of its capacity and "notorious for inhumane conditions."
Richard and Paul were locked into a "swelteringly hot, overcrowded cell the size of a railway carriage", alongside individuals convicted of violent crimes.
The only toilet was a single latrine shared by the entire cell holding 80 inmates.
The men say they were threatened with sexual and physical violence. To avoid being transferred to a more violent section of the prison, they claim they were forced to make regular extortion payments to prisoners and staff.
Richard Perham with his baby before Guinea
(Image: Senja Larsen )
The prison was infested with rats, cockroaches, and mosquitoes. The water was so contaminated they had to disinfect their skin after washing.
Both men suffered dehydration, gastrointestinal illness, and skin infections. Serious diseases, including malaria, tuberculosis, and dysentery, were confirmed to be circulating in the prison at the time.
There are no guards stationed inside the cell blocks. Security personnel remain at the outer gates. Inside, order is maintained by informal and often violent prisoner hierarchies. Access to food, water, safety, and medical care depends on unstable, unofficial systems of control.
Richard and Paul had entered Guinea under contract to Aerostar International, tasked with conducting a civilian, peaceful, and lawful recovery operation.
The Aerostar balloon N254TH had been diverted off course by unexpected winds and was intentionally brought down in Guinea by the company.
Aerostar believed that all necessary permits for the flight and landing had been secured, but it later emerged that neither had been properly authorised.
Paul Inch and Richard Perham at the British Embassy in Conakry after being released
The company informed Guinean authorities that Richard and Paul had no role in operating the balloon, no knowledge of its technical contents, and no involvement in its flight or descent.
They had not been briefed, trained, or given documentation. Their assignment was purely logistical: retrieving equipment under the understanding that all permissions had been granted.
After enduring months of court hearings and delays, the two men were finally freed on bail on April 11. But they remained stuck in Conakry, without their passports and unable to leave the country for another 42 days.
Paul Inch on his way out from Conakry prison
'We had to literally fear for our lives each day. After we had been there for two months, the UK Ambassador walked us to the prison gate, believing we were finally being released. But a phone call to the prosecutor stopped it. We had to turn around and walk straight back in for another month. It was devastating,' says Richard Perham.
'This was meant to be a simple four-day job. Instead, it became 100 days trapped in a nightmare in which I missed the first steps and first words of my baby daughter, moments I can never get back.'
They return home today relieved – but also permanently changed by the experience.
We're incredibly grateful to everyone who stood by us,' says Richard.
'We would not be here today without the tireless support of our MPs, Liz Saville Roberts and Carla Denyer, who stayed closely in touch with our families throughout.
"We're also deeply thankful to the British Embassy – especially Ambassadors Daniel Shepherd and John Marshall, and Deputy Head of Mission Mark Kelly – for their unwavering commitment.'
Article continues below
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Wales Online
17 hours ago
- Wales Online
Teaching assistant who took hold of small child's wrist is suspended
Teaching assistant who took hold of small child's wrist is suspended Abigail Scrivens was employed by Monnow Primary in Newport when the incident occurred leaving the child screaming The teaching assistant worked at Monnow Primary School in Bettws, Newport (Image: John Myers ) A teaching assistant who took a "petite" year one child by the wrist with "more force than reasonable" and shouted at her has been suspended from the education register for a year. Abigail Scrivens was working at Monnow Primary in the Bettws area of Newport when colleagues reported her for taking the girl's wrist in the dining room and remonstrating with the child in a manner which one told the committee she would "never forget". The girl was screaming and crying and her mother later reported that she came out of school with red marks where she had been grabbed, a professional standards committee heard. Police were called but dropped their investigation with no case to answer so an internal investigation was started. During a five-day hearing the Education Workforce Council Wales Fitness to Practise Committee was told that the child, referred to as Child A, was "challenging" and that Miss Scrivens had had no previous complaints against her with the EWC. The panel heard the incident took place after the child apparently "barged" into Miss Scrivens with her food tray in the school dining room at lunctime. Miss Scrivens had shouted at her "don't push me" and "don't barge into me" or words to that effect. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here On the final day of the remote hearing on June 6 panel chair Robert Newsome said the committee had decided there were "aggravating factors" and this was "a serious incident". Despite it being an apparently one-off event it was "a significant physical intervention" on the child by Miss Scrivens. It had "impacted" other children and members of staff who were also present, the girl was "upset" and there was "some evidence" she was left with "bruising". Article continues below "It took place in school in a public place in the presence of others," the committee chair said, "there is evidence that Pupil A and staff were distressed. There is evidence to indicate that Child A had been bruised on her arm." Earlier on in the hearing the panel was told that when asked about the incident by headteacher Lisa Bowden the teaching assistant, who had worked at the school since 2016, told her she had been "comforting Pupil A as she had not eaten her dinner". Miss Scrivens, who denied all the allegations against her, said she had used the "caring C" technique, a method of placing hands in a non-restraining way on a child. Representing the teaching assistant Dr Francis Graydon said: "This was a single act, not a concerted course of conduct" by his client. He told the panel that Child A was "challenging". Dr Graydon said Miss Scrivens presented no risk to children and provided good character references, including from her current employer working with vulnerable adults. Some of these references described her as "highly organised" and "calm". Although Child A's mother had provided a photo of red marks on a child's arm, there was no absolute evidence that this was the result of Miss Scrivens taking hold of Child A's wrist. Nonetheless the committee found it proved that on November 9 2022 Miss Scrivens took hold of Pupil A's wrist and/or arm, when it was not reasonable and used more force than was reasonable. This was judged to amount to unacceptable professional conduct. A second allegation that having taken hold of Pupil A's wrist and/or arm on 9 November 2022 Miss Scrivens did not report it until prompted to, was found not proved. Suspending Miss Scrivens from the EWC register for a year, the panel chair said she could re-join from that date. Article continues below She has the right of appeal to the High Court within 28 days.
Wales Online
2 days ago
- Wales Online
Youth worker who told vulnerable child 'I could murder a cuddle in bed now, lol, naked' struck off
Youth worker who told vulnerable child 'I could murder a cuddle in bed now, lol, naked' struck off Francois Hanson was a youth worker at Neath Port Talbot Council when he abused his position supporting an 'extremely vulnerable child' he nicknamed 'chicken nugget', a professional standards hearing was told Francois Hanson was a long standing youth worker for Neath Port Talbot Council (Image: Copyright Unknown ) A married father who stroked the thigh of an "extremely vulnerable" child who he was assigned to support as a youth worker, has been struck off the professional register. Francois Hanson, who worked for Neath Port Talbot Council youth services, also sent the girl sexually explicit Snapchat messages over a sustained period and often late at night, a professional standards panel heard. The Education Workforce Council Wales fitness to practise panel was told that Hanson had abused his position, sought to blame the child for his actions and showed limited acceptance that what he had done was wrong. He had paid no regard to the effect of his actions on the child or her wellbeing, panel chair Steve Powell said. On the last day of the remote three day hearing on June 5, the panel found a raft of allegations against Hanson proved. Earlier in the week the committee was told that after the girl reported him, Hanson was arrested and questioned. Police found no case to answer owing to lack of evidence but Hanson later resigned from his job and was reported to the EWC as the professional regulating body. The panel said they found the girl to be a "credible witness" whereas Hanson had not engaged in the process and did not attend. Article continues below Some of the messages he sent her were relayed during the police investigation, during which Hanson had also admitted to officers that he probably liked the girl "more than I should, but not in an obsessive sexual way". Sign up for our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here. The former youth worker deliberately sought to conceal his actions by messaging the child on social media channel Snapchat where messages vanish unless screenshot or saved, Mr Powell said. Another of the messages relayed to the police investigation and read out at the hearing was Hanson telling the child: "I could murder a cuddle in bed now, lol, naked." Hanson, who started his career as a youth and community worker at Neath Port Talbot Council in 2005, was also said to have told police during interviews: "The conversations were not meant to be sexual but I can see how it sounds now". Mr Powell read out: "He said in police interviews: 'I have never put my arms around her inappropriately but just put my arms around her to comfort her'." Finding that there was no explanation for the messages, other than sexual intent, the committee concluded that Hanson had exploited his position as a professional with responsibility for the care and protection of a minor. The panel found his actions were "targeted and manipulative" and there was no innocent explanation for the messages. Giving evidence in person earlier in the hearing the child, named only as "Pupil A" to protect her identity, said she had asked for Hanson to be her youth worker because she had built a rapport with him. But within weeks he began messaging her and driving her home in his own vehicle. The youth worker would park near to her family home and spend hours alone in his van chatting to her. It was on one of these occasions that he stroked the child's thigh telling her that everything would be all right, she told the panel. Hanson nicknamed her "chicken nugget". When she told him she never wanted to have children he told her that she needn't fear about that with him as he'd "had the snip". Matters came to a head when he asked her to visit him at home for a guitar lesson when his wife and children were out. This was also raised during the police investigation during which he told police he had asked her to "jam" at his house, the committee was told. It was after this that Child A told a friend and reported Hanson to her school safeguarding officer, who called police. Announcing the decision to strike Hanson off the EWC register, panel chair Steve Powell said the married father had "developed a focus on Child A, a vulnerable child for whom he was professionally responsible". "It was far beyond a professional relationship. He developed a sexual interest in Child A," Mr Powell added. He said it was clear from interviews with police that Hanson, who had a previously unblemished record, knew his behaviour was "wrong and inappropriate". Matters would never have come to light unless the girl had taken the courage to report him, he said. "He behaved in a sexually motivated way to a child under 16 in his care. This was not an isolated lapse but a concerning pattern of behaviour over a period of time. Child A was extremely vulnerable. Mr Hanson was charged with looking after her interests and wellbeing. His actions were an egregious breach of that trust," Mr Powell added. "There was an attempt at concealment on his part because of the time with her and messages outside the knowledge of colleagues, the use of Snapchat and attempts to ensure no records of the messages." Because Hanson did not attend the hearing, did not engage in the process and was not represented, the allegations against him were taken as denied. Striking him off, the committee found it proved that while employed as a youth worker at Neath Port Talbot Council Hanson sent one or more inappropriate message(s) to Child A saying: 'Well you wouldn't have to worry about that [having children] with me because I've had the snip' and telling her about problems in his marriage; and telling her that she could move in with him. They also found it proved that he had put his hand on her thigh and that his conduct sending the Snapchat messages was of a sexual nature; and/or (b) sexually motivated. Owing to lack of evidence the panel said it could not find it proved that putting his hand on her thigh, telling her he had "had the snip" or about problems in his marriage were of a sexual nature or sexually motivated. On the basis of allegations that were found proved the committee judged they amounted to unacceptable professional conduct and struck Hanson off. The committee rules mean they have to agree he may apply to be restored to the register within a minimum of two years, but they extended that to five. If Hanson does not successfully re-apply to re-join the register when the five years are up then he will remain struck off indefinitely. Hanson has the right of appeal to the High Court within 28 days. Article continues below
North Wales Live
2 days ago
- North Wales Live
Tractor driver asked for permission to cross line moments before train heading to Wales crashed
Preliminary findings suggest the driver of a tractor hit by a train while crossing a railway line had sought permission to cross. The incident occurred at the Nordan Farm level crossing near Leominster at 10.37am on May 22. The tractor, hauling an agricultural trailer, was struck by a Transport for Wales train travelling between Manchester and Cardiff. Despite the collision, the train did not derail and continued for another 500m before coming to a halt with the trailer still attached to its front. The tractor driver escaped unscathed from the incident. However, six passengers on the train sustained minor injuries. Two of those injured were taken to hospital but were later discharged, reports Wales Online. An investigation is underway, conducted by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB). In its report released on Wednesday detailing its initial findings the branch found that it seems normal protocol was followed in that the tractor driver did make a telephone call to the signaller to ask if it was safe to cross by using the telephones that are available beside the railway line. The Nordan Farm crossing is regularly used by drivers of agricultural vehicles. When the farmer did cross the trailer their tractor was carrying was hit within seconds by the train which was travelling at 80mph, according to the investigation branch. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here The RAIB statement reads: "Nordan Farm user worked crossing is fitted with telephones. Users are directed by signs at the crossing to use the telephones to obtain permission from the signaller before opening the crossing gates and crossing the railway. "The evidence available to RAIB shows that the driver of the tractor involved in this accident telephoned the signaller before using the crossing." It added: "RAIB's initial analysis indicates that the train was travelling at around 80mph when it struck the trailer. "As a result of the collision, the trailer parted from the tractor and became wedged on the front of the train. The train then ran for around 500m under braking before it came to a stand." The investigation, which is ongoing, will determine the sequence of events that led to the accident and will monitor what went wrong for the incident to happen. The crash damaged the train, trailer, track, lineside equipment and another level crossing beyond Nordan Farm. Rail disruption hit the network for more than 24 hours, with the line blocked between Hereford and Shrewsbury, after the crash. British Transport Police arrested a 32-year-old man who was released under investigation.
