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Welcome Home Simon
It’s been nearly three years since Simon Burke, one of our Banged Up Abroad contributors, was arrested and locked up in a Peruvian prison for a crime he DID NOT commit… Yesterday, finally, he landed safe and sound at Birmingham airport - and a few of us were there to capture the moment.
If you haven’t seen the episode of Banged Up Abroad that features Simon - here is a brief summary of his ordeal. In January 2007, Simon went on holiday with his friend Sarah Jackson to Peru. Unaware that Sarah was in Peru to smuggle cocaine to the UK in order to pay off her debts. Sarah was using Simon as cover for her drug running after a dealer had told her it would look less suspicious if she had a ‘boyfriend’ with her. After they visited Machu Picchu they then flew onto the Peruvian capital of Lima where Sarah was busted by customs at Jorge Chavez International Airport. 10 kilos of cocaine were found in her suitcase. An unsuspecting Simon was suddenly implicated and drawn into a nightmare that was to last over two years (watch a clip of the episode here).
Despite Simon knowing nothing about the drugs, he was arrested and sent to jail. After nine months, Sarah eventually persuaded Peruvian officials that Simon wasn’t involved in the smuggling attempt. He was released from prison on November 1st 2007 but he remained under house arrest on ‘conditional freedom’ until last Sunday.
An excited and relieved crowd of family, friends and reporters were there to meet Simon on Sunday afternoon. He walked out of the arrivals gate to applause, cheers and tears. We stole Simon away from his parents and friends for a quick interview, where he managed to sum up his thoughts and feelings whilst clasping a well deserved can of Stella.
The one good thing he can take with him from his experience is the support of his friends, family and the online facebook group as they were what kept him going throughout his ordeal. Moving forwards, Simon hopes that he can educate others, so that they won’t make the same mistakes he did. He wants people to be careful, and aware of their surroundings, especially when travelling. If you want to leave Simon a message, you can visit his Facebook group here.
hiya simon,just seen the episode,how awful for you,i cant believe she did that,i was so angry at her,so pleased you are home now.i hope she isnt!!!
By: paul On: 02/23/2012 at 12:09 AM
Simon i watched your story in complete disgust at how Sarah treated you. i felt so sorry for you and am glad you made it home. Wish you the best in getting your life back together
By: Donna On: 02/23/2012 at 12:11 AM
You sir got away with it! You blamed it all on your’e bitch! You can tell you were coked up on that interview…no one sounds that retarded not high!
By: Guilty On: 02/23/2012 at 12:12 AM
I agree with the poster above. He possibly got away with this and his girlfreind took the blame for him. He is a great actor though and made himself look “stupid” just to pin the blame on her.
By: Got away with it On: 02/23/2012 at 12:14 AM
Simon As I watched the programme, my heart started to race when I knew what was coming. You were hoodwinked by a stupid girl who , like many others, think they can get away with serious crime in these faraway places. She deserved it but you did not. I hope this has not ruined your faith and trust in others. Good luck in everything you do.
By: Pauline Currie On: 02/23/2012 at 12:18 AM
Rick an Debs from Stalybridge just seen your banged up abroad episode ! That’s bangers mate xx hope your doing well now x bitch n half that Sarah buddy xxx
By: Rick Hilton On: 02/23/2012 at 12:21 AM
So glad you are home. What goes around, comes around Simon – wishing you all the best for the future. Only was is up from here. Your innocence and beauty inside was the reason someone picked you to help with an evil deed, never stop being that person you are beautiful xx http://www.nicolakelleher.com
By: nicola On: 02/23/2012 at 1:05 AM
You are an amazing individual to come out on top, face book me m8, b great to hear what u r upto now. It’s time for you to enjoy your life. FairPlay to u total respect!!
By: Jimilee Caldwell On: 02/23/2012 at 1:21 AM
Hey Simon, just wanted to let you know that watching banged up abroad tonight broke my heart. This is a story I will forget. Not only was that wrong because you were an innocent man but you are also such a genuine guy too and that’s what made this so hard to stomach. I cannot believe I didn’t hear more about this at the time of happening but I am thrilled to hear you are back with your family now! Really was hard to hear about the call home that you had to make and that is a call that you should absoloutly have not had to make. I really do think the Peru government owe you a huge debt for what happened to you out there. I am disgusted with how they treated you. You are a British citizen not Peruvian. I really cannot bring myself to feel any sympathy with that horrible woman Sarah Jackson. I do not want to waste any more letters on her. I really just wanted to write on here and say that to me, having just watched your grace and dignity even in the face of all that was happening, you are an inspiration. You have made me want to be as kind and trusting as you because they are amazing qualities in a person, particularly in the modern day. I hope people will join me in agreeing that you really are a true ‘ British Mandela’
By: chris lewis On: 02/23/2012 at 1:22 AM
Blessings to you Simon, I hope you have been able to re-build your life and have peace in it. What Sarah did to you is unforgivable. You are strong and deserve a happy and wonderful life, take care, Suzanne, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
By: Suzanne J Lawson On: 02/23/2012 at 4:20 PM
Welcome home mate.all the best.x
By: Steven On: 02/23/2012 at 6:56 PM
Simon mate, so pleased you’re home safely, I nearly cried and everything. What a bell piece that Sarah is, take her off your Christmas card list.
By: P Davey On: 02/28/2012 at 8:16 PM
Does anyone know where is simon today?! I just watched the episode for the first time tonight! Is he still back home?
By: Ben On: 03/04/2012 at 1:02 PM
Well simon i am so happy to see you free, these jails are not the best in the world and the time u encountered spending time in there the ten months would be like ten years. Only reason you ended up there is because u cant deal with the autheorities who cant speak the lingo and basically you are left in the lim for the day at court. My best wishes to you and the rest who stood by you. i have been in the same situation in the past and spent 4 years during that time i protested my innocence but all to deaf years. i now live in australia and have moved on from this ordeal hopefully one day we could correspond. John from Melbourne
By: JOHN ROSS On: 03/07/2012 at 3:30 AM
I like many others watched banged up abroad and was captivated by your story. I have followed you from the moment I heard of your horrific ordeal. You are inspiring to me and I sincerely hope you are now showered with all the pleasantries life you deserve. Love from a stranger on the other side of the world.
By: Cori SYDNEY NSW AUST On: 03/07/2012 at 3:51 PM
Simon, glad to see you finally got back home. I hope you can find trust in people again and are able to forgive, I dont know what it would be like to suffer so much at the mistakes of others
By: Leah On: 03/14/2012 at 11:51 AM
Acabo de ver el programa Preso en el Extranjero version latinamericana de NATIONAL GEOGRAFHIC y estoy feliz de saber que Simon fue liberado hace varios años ya ..
By: Effy On: 03/18/2012 at 5:27 AM
Dear Simon, I was incredibly moved by your story. To have that happen to such a sweet person as yourself is such a tragedy. As awful as your ordeal was, I hope in retrospect there is something positive gained from the experience. I am so happy to hear you’re home safe now. May the rest of your life be extremely happy! Love, Tommy
By: Tommy Boyce On: 03/21/2012 at 11:12 PM
GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.
By: emma On: 04/21/2012 at 2:05 AM
Simon, Just watched the program “Locked up Abroad” featuring your story. All we can say is thank God you made it out! You will move beyond this and live a good life while your ex-friend will live the rest of her life in shame as the world will forever know what she did. You never gave up your fight and that speaks volumes about your the man you are.
By: Chris and Erin On: 04/21/2012 at 2:30 AM
Hey Simon i got on this web sight to tell you if you don’t beat the hell out of that girl you are a bigger man than I. I would never forgive her for that.
By: J. Cox On: 04/21/2012 at 10:05 PM
Hi Simon, your story changed my day and my outlook. I’ve been staying in for the last few days due to dental surgery. Propped my feet up to catch The Nat Geo channel. Today there’s been a locked up abroad marathon and I’ve never seen this show. It is you sir that was in the REAL marathon, mentally, emotionally, physically and legally!! The innocent victim of the drug world that is defined by selfishness. What I saw emerge was a man that rather than succumbing to being victimized has emerged a survivor. Grab the brass ring because God has good plans for you! Lisa in Houston, Texas
By: Lisa Box On: 04/21/2012 at 11:08 PM
I admire you. You are amazingly strong, and I hope ur faith in mankind has not been ruined. There are those of us who still maintain our integrity despite the world around us. You are a beautiful person and I e you have found a love for life again
By: Karissa On: 04/22/2012 at 7:44 AM
I admire you. You are amazingly strong, and I hope ur faith in mankind has not been ruined. There are those of us who still maintain our integrity despite the world around us. You are a beautiful person and I pray you have found a love for life again.
By: Karissa On: 04/22/2012 at 7:46 AM