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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.
Gracias a ustedes, Simon siempre se cintio feliz al saber que no estava solo y que sus amigos de Facebook lo acompañaban a cada momento y lo daban fuerzas para seguir luchando por su inosencia.
By: marylia chavez On: 10/14/2009 at 5:08 PM
We have just watched your ordeal Simon, so glad you made it home. Our thoughts are with you and hope you are settling back in your normal life with the support of your family and friends. We are thinking of you. Tom & Jac from Perth WA
By: Tom & Jacqui Donnellan On: 04/07/2010 at 1:36 PM
Hi, Simon! I watched the banged up aborad episode with you in it today. I cried and was angry that you where put in that position in the first place.
So, glad to have read that you are now home and safe! I wish you all the very best for the future and do believe you will find someone very special!
xxx
By: Tamara Carter On: 04/08/2010 at 7:49 AM
Hey Simon, I saw the episode of Locked Up Abroad. Man, I am so sorry you had to go through all of that madness. My faith in man’s (women too) humanity is just about gone. I still can’t fathom how someone could place another in a position such as Sarah did to you. I wish I had a million bucks man…I’d give half to you for all of your trouble. I pray that your life if going OK now. I know your family is very happy to have you back. I’m glad you’re back too. Take Care and GOD bless.
By: B.K. Matt, Sr. On: 07/08/2010 at 5:45 PM
Absolutely amazing bloke, would have broken many, thumbs up 4 you mate.
By: Dave On: 07/14/2010 at 11:46 AM
Simon, you have been to hell and back. You are strong beyond your belief, i applaud you. I also hope that one day you will be able to forgive Sarah.
By: Sean On: 07/27/2010 at 2:58 AM
Hi Simon, I was really shocked when I saw the programme today, and my first thought was to try to find you on line to make sure you are no longer stuck in Peru – I am delighted to see you are back home with your family and friends. Just want to wish you all the very best for the future, you impressed me massively with your honesty and inner strength – you deserve alot of good in your life from now on! I am sure you will meet a good woman whom you can trust, because they really are out there…
By: James Harding On: 08/09/2010 at 11:02 AM
Rewatched your story because the wife hadn’t seen it. Again was shocked by that woman praying on the innocent; Its terrible she’s destroyed your belief in humanity, we both hope you get it back and find a good woman to restore your faith:(:)
By: Jon On: 08/18/2010 at 1:56 PM
Good luck with your reclaimed life Simon. My wife Ami and I were really touched by your story and sad that you were duped by such a devious evil person that you had so innocently trusted. God bless.
By: Ken Baldwin On: 08/26/2010 at 9:00 PM
Simon, What a crazy story. I cannot begin to imagine the ordeal you have been through. I sincerely wish you all the best for your future.
By: Andrew On: 09/01/2010 at 10:55 AM
My sympathy to you Simon,This woman have destroyed your life.It shocked me that she was acting so innocently to the customs officers.She deserve to be inprisoned for what she did and does not deserve your forgiveness…I hope that you were able to rebuild your life…I wish you all the best in life…cheers!
By: lisa furnad On: 09/01/2010 at 4:47 PM
Please accept my sympathy. I was a Detective in Australia and I worked in Drug Enforcement for several years. I was really taken back with your story. I am sorry that you experienced that situation. I wish all the best. Thanks. Regards, Michael Kempnich
By: Michael Kempnich On: 09/01/2010 at 5:13 PM
Like those above I was moved by your story and wanted to see the outcome. Congratulations on surviving the ordeal and arriving safely home at last. It seems to me that Sarah is still unwilling to accept the full enormity of her betrayal. I pray she uses her time in prison to reflect on what a selfish person she really is.
By: Graeme Barley On: 09/02/2010 at 10:06 AM
Hi mate, so glad your back home. Just watched the epsiode and I was so angry with what they did to you. I hope she stays in for a long while and you enjoy getting back into normal life.
By: Dan On: 09/22/2010 at 10:25 AM
Hi Simon. I watched your story tonight and had to find out if your nightmare ordeal in Peru was finally over and thankfully it is. Obviously friendship means absolutely nothing to Sarah. I wish you all the very best as you rebuild your life.
By: Michelle On: 09/26/2010 at 2:52 PM
Hi Simon, I’m truly so relieved you’re back home safe and sound with family and friends. My heart goes out to you for being such an innocent victim in such a horrible situation. You’ve amazed us with your inner strength and deserve only the very best x
By: Laura On: 09/30/2010 at 5:13 AM
Simon, I felt terrible watching the show tonight. You are an extremely strong man to go through that and survive! Credit to you mate.
By: Rick from Australia On: 10/26/2010 at 12:59 PM
Simon, just watched your ordeal on TV down here in Perth, Australia. I can not believe what you went through but am glad that you are finally back home although I imagine it will take you a very long time to put this behind you, if at all. take care.
By: Adrian Ashley On: 10/26/2010 at 4:30 PM
Hi, Simon. Just watched what you went thru in peru on nat geo channel. Can’t bnelieve what you had to face over there, my heart goes out to you. So glad you’re home, and wishing you all the best in life from now on. You deserve it. God bless you, Simon, sending you big bear hugs all the way from Indonesia. Your story has touched many here.
By: tana from indonesia On: 10/28/2010 at 6:12 PM
Simon, wonderful to see you’re home. Hope with the love and support of your family, friends and supporters that your faith in humanity is one day restored. You’re an amazing person.
By: Lauren On: 11/14/2010 at 5:18 AM
i just watched your episode of banged up abroad… i was nearly in tears for you- never i have i been so enranged, so angry at the tele for having seen something to disgustingly unfair and unjust. i’m so sorry for what happened to you. i have no sympathy what so ever for sarah. i hope you can move on with your life and be well… kindest thoughts, rhia from australia
By: rhia On: 12/05/2010 at 6:57 AM