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Briton accused of 'porn dancing': My Cambodia jail stay was hell

Tom Jeffries says the cell he and 23 others were held in had "a hole in the corner to use for any and all types of sanitation".

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Tourist on 'terrifying' Cambodia prison experience
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Tom Jeffries, one of five Britons arrested for "pornographic dancing" in Cambodia, tells Sky News how he vomited from panic when police raided their party and handcuffed the group.

He describes the uncertainty of being locked up in a dank, crowded jail cell and says he's worried about his friend still detained and facing the prospect of a trial.

My friend and I had just arrived at the party, having missed the movie we wanted to watch, and were drinking a couple of beers by the pool.

It was painfully similar to every other party in Siem Reap.

Then the rain started and we all cowered underneath a small porch. I had no idea that anything going on there could be considered offensive.

cambodia tourists 'pornographic' dancing
Cambodia police 
http://cambodiapolice.com/blog/archives/68153
Image: The group of tourists were arrested in Cambodia on 25 January. Pic: Cambodia Police

The police came in. They separated the bulk of the tourists and left the 10 of us separate.

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They started throwing accusations around and tried to work out who owned the villa – originally blaming me for reasons I still don't understand.

Soon, a few of us were in handcuffs and I started having a panic attack and felt the need to throw up.

Cambodia arrests
Image: Tom (second left) was among 10 Western tourists arrested

I was let out of my cuffs and they put me on a chair in front of the other people. I was provided a bucket and started to be sick.

That was the start of a feeling that wouldn't leave me for two weeks.

The next few days were a blur of police officers, translators and forms in a language I had no hope of understanding.

Before I knew it I was stood outside a prison, still with no idea why I was there. The only thing we had been told is that we were under investigation and it could take some time.

cambodia tom jeffries pornographic dancing
Image: Mr Jeffries (centre) pictured on New Year's in Cambodia

So there started my time in a Cambodian prison.

A small cell with 23 other people, a hole in the corner to use for any and all types of sanitation and worst of all no idea how long I would be there for.

Allowed out to a courtyard briefly twice a day, I tried to stay strong, helped by my friends, but inevitably had some dark days.

This carried on for days, with various glimmers of hope being dashed on what felt like a daily basis.

Then we got told to put on "freestyle" clothing - something that only happened once before when we were unwillingly put in front of a Cambodian news network - and five of us were pulled from the cell.

cambodia tom jeffries pornographic dancing
Image: The Briton says he is worried for one of his friends who is believed to be still detained

We got released - into what we weren't told.

I still have little to no knowledge about what happened to get me released, but I do know that it in no way stopped my fears.

Yes we were out. But did we still face trial? Would I be able to return home? What would my future hold after this wrongful arrest and detention?

I am sat, two weeks later, safe at home. But my friend is still there. Stuck. Scared. And now alone.

I found that a quick Google search of my name brings up less-than-savoury news articles, and that few news outlets have mentioned that all charges against me have been dropped.

I did nothing wrong, but this will affect the rest of my life.

Mr Jeffries was not deported from Cambodia and was not charged.