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The Sun
5 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
I was left to rot in rat-infested jail on ‘spying' charges for 100 days with 80 crammed in cell – I thought I would die
A BRIT dad jailed on unfounded spying charges has told how he was crammed into a tiny rat-infested cell for 100 days. Richard Perham, 30, told The Sun how he and fellow Brit Paul Inch, 50, had been on a four-day job to collect a downed research balloon in Guinea - but ended up in a hellhole jail for three months. 13 13 13 13 Two days into their trip, Richard, from Bristol, and Paul, of Blaenau Ffestiniog, were cuffed and accused of spying, sedition, breaching national defence, and violating airspace by cops. They were thrown into one of West Africa's most overcrowded and dangerous jails - Conakry Central Prison - that operates at 475 per cent of its capacity. The Brits claim they were extorted, threatened with sexual and physical violence, and pushed to the brink - not knowing if or when they were going to get let out. After returning to the UK just over a week ago, Richard recalled the nightmare he has lived since the beginning of the year. He told The Sun: "Day to day we were facing challenges such as hygiene, cramped conditions, distressing things - maybe we were seeing violence. "We were staying in a cell the size of a train carriage - and that was housing about 80 people. "And during the night, when everyone was sleeping, the whole floor was covered with mattresses, people sleeping, two by two, one, two people to one mattress. "[We] were all sharing one toilet, one shower, the place was really unhygienic." To avoid being transferred to a more violent section of the prison, the two Brits were forced to make regular extortion payments to prisoners and staff. There were also no guards stationed inside cell blocks. And Richard described how diseases such as malaria were rampant in the hellhole jail. The water was so contaminated they had to disinfect their skin after washing - and both men suffered dehydration, gastrointestinal illnesses, and skin infections. Richard said: "There were open sewers. There were rats running around in the rafters, and you know, sometimes even dropping down and running over us whilst we were sleeping. "It was really difficult, as you can imagine." Brave Richard and Paul thought their nightmare was finally over 60 days later when they were told they were being let go. But at this point, they unknowingly had 82 days of hell to go. 13 13 13 Richard said: "We had the embassy waiting at the gates to collect us. "We packed our things up, we gave away things to other prisoners, and we signed out of the prison. "This all took about an hour and was really emotional. It was really high, and also really nerve wracking. "We hadn't been out of the prison, for, two months at that point. "We got to the outer gate, at which point one of the guards made a phone call to the local prosecutor and we were turned around and marched back in which was absolutely crushing. "It just totally smashed us." Another 40 days passed of being locked up in the hellhole slammer - with the pair living in "fear for our lives each day" and only being able to contact family members via letter. Richard said he "missed the first steps and first words of my baby daughter" which he "can never get back". And Paul's detention saw him torn away from his wife, their five children, and his three brothers. Richard explained how survival became his "full time job" where he either had the choice to "survive or give in". Describing just how he got through it, he said: "I just had to pull on all of the tools I've learned over my life to stay strong, basically. "That involved things like meditation, daily routines involving exercise, and as I said, pulling on the resilience. "I've learned from some of the sports I do regularly. "I like to run ultra marathons, and I do a lot of rock climbing and mountaineering, and through this I've learned to be resilient and to have sort of focus and make the right decisions that are gonna get you through." On the 100th day, Richard and Paul were finally freed, but neither of them could process their ordeal and instead focused on putting "one foot in front of the other". 13 13 13 Richard explained: "We packed our things, said our goodbyes and left the prison, and we left in the clothes we were wearing which was a pair of shorts, flip-flops, and a vest. "We left with our lawyer with a rucksack and two massive plastic bags in each hand, and we walked out. "We literally walked out of the prison gates. "It was very surreal. It took days to sort of catch up mentally." The first moment Richard processed his ordeal was when he finally had access to a clean, hot shower. He said: "Whilst we were in the prison, the water was not clean, so we had to disinfect ourselves after every shower. "Just simply to have a hot shower and then put some clean clothes on was just amazing." Just when they thought their ordeal was over, the two were held for another 42 days on conditional release - which Richard described as being like "a prison in itself". While he was able to finally see and speak to his family over the phone - including his daughter - it "brought new challenges because we were still having to fight our case and to secure our release". Richard said: "It wasn't guaranteed and even until the last the last day we didn't know how long we would be there. "We were still fighting to get our passports back and get our names cleared, get the charges of espionage and sedition dropped - so we we didn't know whether we'd be there for another week or another three months. "So that was that was really tricky to deal with that uncertainty." Richard ended up being released on his 30th birthday. He said that while he is happy to be home with his family, "it's going to take some time to adjust" and there are "some things I will need to unpack" due to the ordeal he had to endure. Despite this, he is "excited about the future". 13 13 13
The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- The Irish Sun
I was left to rot in rat-infested jail on ‘spying' charges for 100 days with 80 crammed in cell – I thought I would die
A BRIT dad jailed on unfounded spying charges has told how he was crammed into a tiny rat-infested cell for 100 days. Richard Perham, 30, told The Sun how he and fellow Brit Paul Inch, 50, had been on a four-day job to collect a downed research balloon in Guinea - but ended up in a hellhole jail for three months. 13 Richard Perham (L) and Paul Inch (C) were kept in a Guinea prison for 100 days Credit: PR Handout 13 The two men should have only been in Guinea for four days to recover equipment for Aerostar International Credit: PR Handout 13 Paul said how 'survival became his full time job' Credit: PR Handout 13 Two days into their trip, Richard, from Bristol, and Paul, of Blaenau Ffestiniog, were cuffed and accused of spying, sedition, breaching national defence, and violating airspace by cops. They were thrown into one of West Africa's most overcrowded and dangerous jails - Conakry Central Prison - that operates at 475 per cent of its capacity. The Brits claim they were extorted, threatened with sexual and physical violence, and pushed to the brink - not knowing if or when they were going to get let out. After returning to the UK just over a week ago, Richard recalled the nightmare he has lived since the beginning of the year. read more news He told The Sun: "Day to day we were facing challenges such as hygiene, cramped conditions, distressing things - maybe we were seeing violence. "We were staying in a cell the size of a train carriage - and that was housing about 80 people. "And during the night, when everyone was sleeping, the whole floor was covered with mattresses, people sleeping, two by two, one, two people to one mattress. "[We] were all sharing one toilet, one shower, the place was really unhygienic." Most read in The US Sun To avoid being transferred to a more violent section of the prison , the two Brits were forced to make regular extortion payments to prisoners and staff. There were also no guards stationed inside cell blocks. Moment deported Tren de Aragua gang inmates scream and rattle cells at US officials in notorious El Salvador mega-prison And Richard described how diseases such as malaria were rampant in the hellhole jail. The water was so contaminated they had to disinfect their skin after washing - and both men suffered dehydration, gastrointestinal illnesses, and skin infections. Richard said: "There were open sewers. There were rats running around in the rafters, and you know, sometimes even dropping down and running over us whilst we were sleeping. "It was really difficult, as you can imagine." Brave Richard and Paul thought their nightmare was finally over 60 days later when they were told they were being let go. But at this point, they unknowingly had 82 days of hell to go. 13 The two Brits were in Conakry Central Prison in a cramped cell with 80 others Credit: PR Handout 13 Richard Perham with his baby before the Guinea ordeal Credit: PR Handout 13 Paul Inch endured the ordeal alongside Richard Credit: PR Handout Richard said: "We had the embassy waiting at the gates to collect us. "We packed our things up, we gave away things to other prisoners, and we signed out of the prison . "This all took about an hour and was really emotional. It was really high, and also really nerve wracking. "We hadn't been out of the prison , for, two months at that point. "We got to the outer gate, at which point one of the guards made a phone call to the local prosecutor and we were turned around and marched back in which was absolutely crushing. "It just totally smashed us." Another 40 days passed of being locked up in the hellhole slammer - with the pair living in "fear for our lives each day" and only being able to contact family members via letter. Richard said he "missed the first steps and first words of my baby daughter" which he "can never get back". And Paul's detention saw him torn away from his wife, their five children, and his three brothers. Richard explained how survival became his "full time job" where he either had the choice to "survive or give in". Describing just how he got through it, he said: "I just had to pull on all of the tools I've learned over my life to stay strong, basically. "That involved things like meditation, daily routines involving exercise, and as I said, pulling on the resilience. "I've learned from some of the sports I do regularly. "I like to run ultra marathons, and I do a lot of rock climbing and mountaineering, and through this I've learned to be resilient and to have sort of focus and make the right decisions that are gonna get you through." On the 100th day, Richard and Paul were finally freed, but neither of them could process their ordeal and instead focused on putting "one foot in front of the other". 13 Paul Inch walking out of the hellhole prison Credit: PR Handout 13 Conakry prison is renowned for its dire conditions Credit: AFP 13 A confined prisoner gestures during an attempted prison escape in Conakry in 2015 Credit: AFP Richard explained: "We packed our things, said our goodbyes and left the prison , and we left in the clothes we were wearing which was a pair of shorts, flip-flops, and a vest. "We left with our lawyer with a rucksack and two massive plastic bags in each hand, and we walked out. "We literally walked out of the prison gates. "It was very surreal. It took days to sort of catch up mentally." The first moment Richard processed his ordeal was when he finally had access to a clean, hot shower. He said: "Whilst we were in the prison, the water was not clean, so we had to disinfect ourselves after every shower. "Just simply to have a hot shower and then put some clean clothes on was just amazing." Just when they thought their ordeal was over, the two were held for another 42 days on conditional release - which Richard described as being like "a prison in itself". While he was able to finally see and speak to his family over the phone - including his daughter - it "brought new challenges because we were still having to fight our case and to secure our release". Richard said: "It wasn't guaranteed and even until the last the last day we didn't know how long we would be there. "We were still fighting to get our passports back and get our names cleared, get the charges of espionage and sedition dropped - so we we didn't know whether we'd be there for another week or another three months. "So that was that was really tricky to deal with that uncertainty." Richard ended up being released on his 30th birthday. He said that while he is happy to be home with his family , "it's going to take some time to adjust" and there are "some things I will need to unpack" due to the ordeal he had to endure. Despite this, he is "excited about the future ". 13 Richard (L) and Paul (R) returning to the UK after their ordeal Credit: PR Handout 13 The two men pictured at the airport before heading home Credit: PR Handout 13 Paul pictured on the returning flight Credit: PR Handout
BBC News
26-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Guinea work trip turns to 100 days in prison for UK pair
A search and rescue specialist hired to recover a downed research balloon in what was supposed be a four-day job has finally returned home after spending more than 100 days in a West African Inch, 50, from Blaenau Ffestiniog, Gwynedd, and colleague Richard Perham, 29, from Bristol, had gone to Guinea to recover the equipment for a firm when they were arrested and accused of spying."It was scary - the worst thing I have ever experienced," said Mr Collins of Highbury, UK government Foreign Office minister for Africa, welcomed the men's return after their "lengthy ordeal". The Guinean government has been asked to comment. "We were threatened with all kinds of abuse," said Mr Inch, who works as a mountain bike guide, water safety officer, and as a volunteer with the Aberglaslyn Mountain described the conditions in the Conakry prison as "horrific", with 80 men sharing a toilet and shower."Sleeping through the night you'd have rats and mice and cockroaches crawling over your body," he told BBC Radio Wales Inch said the water was contaminated so they washed with a disinfectant and were concerned about becoming explained how he and his colleague had believed they "had the right permissions to be [in Guinea]... and then quickly found out that we hadn't"."We were in court and then told 'you're going to prison'," he said. Mr Perham said: "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." After their release on 11 April, the pair were stuck in Guinea for 42 more Inch's partner, Cheryl Potter, said: "Every single day has been a constant battle worrying about him."Mr Inch has thanked his supporters, the British Embassy and his local MP, Liz Saville Roberts, for their help to get them home. 'A nightmare' Ms Saville-Roberts said the organisation that hired the pair had informed Guinean authorities that Mr Inch and Mr Perham "had no role in operating the balloon, no knowledge of its technical contents, and no involvement in its flight or descent". "Their assignment was purely logistical: retrieving equipment under the understanding that all permissions had been granted," said the Plaid Cymru MP for Dwyfor Meirionnydd."This has been a nightmare for the two men and their families and friends who have been focused, resourceful and determined to ensure that never a day went by without seeking their release."
Daily Mail
25-05-2025
- Daily Mail
How a four-day equipment recovery mission turned into 100 'nightmare' days locked in a 'hellhole' African jail for two British men
Two British men have told how they survived a 'nightmare' 100 days in a violent West African prison swarmed with rats and diseases after being arrested while on a four-day work trip. Paul Inch, 50, of Blaenau Ffestiniog, Gwynedd, and Richard Perham, 29, of Bristol, had travelled to Guinea earlier this year to recover equipment from a high-altitude research balloon for Aerostar International. But within days of touching down, the pair were arrested and accused of spying, sedition, breaching national defence, and violating airspace by the authorities – all of which were unfounded. Mr Inch and Mr Perham were thrown into Conakry Central Prison, a facility operating at 475 per cent of its capacity and notorious for inhumane conditions. They were confined in a swelteringly hot overcrowded cell, sharing a single toilet with inmates convicted of violent crimes. They were also extorted and threatened with violence and had to pay prisoners and staff to avoid being transferred to a more dangerous section. The prison was infested with rats, cockroaches and mosquitoes with contaminated water causing Mr Inch and Mr Perham to suffer dehydration, gastrointestinal illness and skin infections. Serious diseases like malaria, tuberculosis, and bloody diarrhea circulated in the jail. And with no guards stationed inside the cell blocks, order was maintained by violent prisoner hierarchies. Speaking after being freed and arriving at Heathrow Airport this evening, Mr Inch said the experience was a 'nightmare' he could have 'never imagined'. He said: 'In my work 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.' His detention tore him away from his wife, their five children, and his three brothers who were left to hold their families together throughout the traumatic ordeal. Mr Perham said tonight: '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. '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't get back.' The pair added: 'We're incredibly grateful to everyone who stood by us. '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.' Both men 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. After enduring months of court hearings and delays, the two men were finally freed on bail on April 11. They remained stuck in Conakry without their passports and unable to leave the country for another 42 days before touching down in London tonight. Liz Saville Roberts MP said: 'I am delighted that Paul Inch and Richard Perham are at liberty at last after being held in Conkary Prison under hideous conditions and then house arrest. 'This has been a nightmare for the two men and their families and friends who have been focussed, resourceful and determined to ensure that never a day went by without seeking their release.' Guinea's political climate under a military junta, which has strained relations with Western nations and aligned with countries like Russia and China, complicated diplomatic efforts. Additionally, systematic corruption within Guinea's justice system created ongoing obstacles, with officials repeatedly blocking court-ordered releases.
Wales Online
25-05-2025
- Wales Online
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
