An Australian man who narrowly avoided the death penalty on drug charges in Indonesia is “grateful” for his second chance.
Jeffrey Welton, a 52-year-old surf instructor from Perth, was sentenced in an Indonesian court to spend eight months in a rehab facility rather than face a firing squad.
He was arrested in September when he was found with eight grams of heroin and 0.34g of methamphetamine in a condom at Bali’s International Airport after flying in from Vietnam.
His lawyers on Tuesday successfully convinced three judges to treat Mr Welton as an addict, rather than a drug smuggler.
His family had hired former police officer turned consultant and celebrity bodyguard John McLeod, whose consultancy firm helps Aussies in similar trouble overseas.
“It’s a good outcome,” Mr McLeod told NCA NewsWire.
“We’re grateful to the legal system of Indonesia for listening to the defence we put forward. It’s very progressive.
“He’s grateful, he’s reflecting, I’ve told him to focus on himself day by day by day.”
Mr McLeod had previously assisted in the case of Schapelle Corby.
Ask what Mr Welton’s plans would be once he’s released, Mr McCleod said: “I’ve told him not to look that far ahead, just keep thinking about the next hour, then the next day.
“I’ve got some plans in place for him when he gets out, I’m confident, but it’s also up to him.”
Mr Welton is now in Bali’s Anargya Sober House.
Narcotics laws in Indonesia are notoriously strict, with the amount of drugs smuggled normally earning those convicted anywhere from five year’s prison to a death sentence.
Mr Welton had been living on the tourist island periodically over the past decade.
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