My son is trapped in hellhole Dubai jail where he was tortured after being setup – he begged me not to forget him
A HEARTBROKEN mum has spoken out about her agony over her son who has been trapped in a hellhole jail in Dubai for eleven months.
Breda Hood, the devastated mother of Billy Hood, opened up about her fears that she may never see her son again as he pleaded with her not to forget him.
Last month Billy was sentenced to 25 years in prison after police found four tiny bottles of harmless CBD vape oil in his car.
The bottles were left by a pal who Billy had dropped off at the airport.
With that horrifying sentence, it means he will remain in Dubai's most notorious prison until his 49th birthday.
Speaking exclusively to The Sun Online, Breda, from West London, said: "It just feels unreal.
"There is no word in the dictionary to say how I felt [about the sentencing] or what I'm still feeling. It still sticks in my mind.
"He got 25 years? For what? You've taken away his life."
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Breda first heard about what happened to Billy at the beginning of February after his friends had reported the football coach missing.
A few days after making enquiries, Billy's pals told his older brother Alex that he had been arrested.
"We sort of thought it wasn't going to be a major thing," Breda explained. "That's why we didn't go public with it for eight or nine months.
"Billy kept on saying 'don't worry about it, it's gonna get sorted.'
"It was stupid. We sort of laughed it off. I know it sounds silly now but that's what we did do. We just thought it was gonna get sorted and he'll be home soon."
But Billy's situation in Dubai went from bad to worse.
After the 24-year-old was handed down his sentence he vanished and lost contact with the outside world.
Billy's family had not heard from him after he was moved from one of Dubai's most notorious prisons.
His family were deeply concerned for his wellbeing after he claimed that he had damning evidence that Dubai cops framed him.
That's when he said 'please don't forget me'. I told him 'I will never forget you son, never'
Breda Hood
But last Sunday, Breda said she spoke to her son to which he explained he had been locked in solitary confinement for ten entire days.
"That phone call Billy gave last Sunday was heartbreaking," Breda said fighting back tears.
"I don't know if they have human rights over there but mental torture is what he has been through.
"Billy said he came close to thinking that was it for him. Ten days with bright lights on you in solitary confinement. It didn't think he was gonna come through."
Billy told his mum that the jail was "like hell on Earth".
"And I'm a mum I had to listen to that on the phone," Breda said.
"You watch prison programs on the telly and you see how they are treated in other countries but when it's your own son, it's so hard.
"And that phone call on Sunday, I will never forget it, I will never forget his words."
As he awaits the verdict for his appeal, Billy will spend his 25th birthday in appalling conditions in the notorious Al Sadr prison.
The verdict for Billy's appeal is due to be announced next Tuesday, however, Breda doesn't have high hopes for what could happen.
"I'm not gonna get my hopes up," she said.
"But I don't know. That's the scariest thing with them, is that I don't know. They play so many mind games."
According to Breda, although Billy hopes everything works out, he told his mum he won't be holding his breath for the verdict next week.
"That's when he said 'please don't forget me'. I told him 'I will never forget you, son, never'. It was the worst call of my life."
There is zero tolerance for drug-related offences in the UAE.
The penalties for trafficking, smuggling and possession of even tiny amounts of drugs are severe.
Sentences for drug trafficking can include the death penalty and possession of even the smallest amount of illegal drugs can lead to a minimum four-year jail sentence.
Billy's family have to help get Billy freed from his sentence in Dubai.
The UAE public prosecutor's office said: "Mr Hood was convicted based on evidence including the items found in his possession, information on his phone, third party statement, and his own confession.
"Mr Hood had access to an English interpreter at all relevant stages, including his questioning, confession, and trial. He was represented in his trial by a defence lawyer whom he selected.
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"Mr Hood has since appealed the initial ruling in accordance with UAE law and will receive a hearing at Abu Dhabi Court. At all times, Mr Hood has been treated in accordance with the UAE law and applicable international standards."
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has been contacted for comment.