Brit women arrested for pole-dancing in Corfu are ‘performance artists' & were treated like ‘scrubbers' in jail

The Sun

4 days ago

FIVE Brits held over a pole-dancing stunt in Corfu were treated like 'scrubbers' and locked away with hardened criminals, one of their dads has claimed.
The group sparked outrage after two of the women were recorded swinging around a flagpole in lingerie and posing for pictures at a protected world heritage site.
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Steve Gunter-Zak's daughter Imogen, 30, is said to have organised the stunt as she was arrested and forced to endure three days in jail.
Sharon Randell, 57, Alisha Haddrell, 32, Katie Clark, 40, and a German woman all joined her locked away in hellish Greek prison cells.
Devastated dad Steve has now said the women had no idea what they were doing was wrong and believed it was just "performance art".
He said: 'They had no idea it was wrong to be performing where they were.
'I believe this has been driven by politics. Someone in authority has got it in for them.
"But these women are not scrubbers. They're not tarts and their dancing is not sexual. It's performance art.'
Two of the women, said to be Imogen, of Worcester, and Sharon, of Faringdon, Oxon, were hit with six-month suspended jail terms.
They were convicted of 'degrading the cultural landscape' at the Old Palace of St Michael and St George, as previously reported by The Sun.
Both have appealed with their lawyer Makis Grammenos confident of success.
He said: 'They didn't need to spend three nights in cells. They were anxious, sleep deprived and had no food.'
Moment Brit pole dancers issue grovelling apology after avoiding jail over scantily-clad display at hallowed Greek site
All five are believed to have met online or at a yoga retreat in Corfu.
Two are thought to still be on the island while three flew home on Monday.
Retired lecturer Steve said Imogen and Alisha - her pal and business partner - hired a local photographer to shoot video and stills of their trip.
He said: 'He chose where they would perform. He assured them this site was okay and they trusted him.
"They did it late at night to cause as little disturbance and nuisance to locals.
'But it attracted quite a few people and some were videoing on phones. One put it online and it went viral.
"A few days later it became clear the girls were in trouble so they went to a police station to tell them what they'd been doing.
"But as soon as they got there they were charged."
Steve also said that despite Imogen being convicted she was never even dancing.
They were only there to train the women, he added.
Three women have since apologised on camera.
The UNESCO World Heritage Site seen in the footage first opened in 1824 and is a renowned example of Regency architecture.
And despite being accused of violating archaeological law and degrading the surrounding area, a lawyer believes the charges won't stick.
Thanos Giannakouris said: 'They didn't leave a scratch on the monument.
"It's totally overblown. These were young girls having a bit of fun.'
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