Beckham asked to back Nick (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Beckham asked to back Nick

FOOTBALL legend David Beckham has been asked to intervene in the case of convicted drug smuggler Nick Baker.

As the England captain was unveiled as Real Madrid's latest superstar signing this week, Nick was languishing in a tough Japanese prison.

The Cotswold father, his family and leading UK officials have always protested his innocence and claim he was framed by a travelling companion.

Now, his grandmother Euphemia, who lives in Malmesbury, has written to Beckham asking if he and his former Manchester United team-mates will sign a petition urging the Japanese authorities to give Nick a fair trial.

His mother Iris, who comes from Oaksey, said: "I'd like to think miracles will happen. It will help to raise the profile of the campaign.

"She (Euphemia) has written to David Beckham and has told him that Nick is a football fanatic."

Nick was sentenced to 14 years in a Japanese prison and fined £25,600 two weeks ago.

The 32-year-old, who used to run a sandwich shop in Cirencester, was caught carrying a suitcase containing £1.5 million worth of drugs through Tokyo's Narita Airport last May.

He says he was visiting football stadiums in the country ahead of last year's World Cup and that his travelling companion engineered it so they would carry each other's suitcases through customs.

The "friend" was later arrested and charged with drug trafficking himself in Belgium.

Those campaigning for Nick say there is evidence the man has tried the same scam in other countries.

But, despite repeated calls, the Japanese authorities failed to consider these facts before passing sentence.

Nick, whose partner Beverley and two-year-old son George live in Stroud, has complained of mental abuse and horrific conditions in Tokyo's Chiba Prison, which he says have left him with a bent spine and deformed finger.

His lawyers are still awaiting a response to the appeal they lodged after Nick's sentence.