Six years for cocaine ring partner of Briton facing firing squad

Julian Anthony Ponder was found guilty of being an accomplice to 56-year-old Lindsay June Sandiford. She was sentenced to death by firing squad for smuggling cocaine worth $2.5m (£1.6m) in her suitcase into Bali.

Presiding Judge Gunawan Tri Budiono said Ponder was convicted of possessing narcotics and also fined £65,000.

Two other British citizens and an Indian have also been jailed in connection with the case.

Ponder seemed relieved after hearing the verdict, but declined to talk to the Press. “I think it’s light enough,” said his lawyer, Ary Sunardi. “We will suggest that he accept the sentence.”

Prosecutors had sought seven years for Ponder, who could have received life. They had sought 15 years for Sandiford, but the court stunned her and many people in Britain by sentencing her to death.

Sandiford filed an appeal request on Monday. During her trial, she claimed she was forced to transport the drugs into the country by a gang that was threatening to hurt her children.

She was arrested in May when 8.4lb (3.8kg) of cocaine was discovered in the lining of her suitcase at Bali’s airport.

Britain said it strongly opposed Sandiford’s sentence.

Ponder’s wife, Rachel Lisa Dougall, was earlier sentenced to one year in the case, while Indian national Nandagopal Akkineni received five years. Another Briton, Paul Beales, was previously jailed for four years.