FIVE men jailed for smuggling 255kg of cocaine with a street value of £53 million in a fishing boat have been given the chance to bring fresh evidence to court — to decide whether it can be admitted in support of an appeal.

The men, nicknamed the Freshwater Five, were jailed for a total of 104 years.

Jamie Green and fellow Islander, scaffolding business owner Jonathan Beere — who was not a member of the crew and not on board the boat at the time — were each jailed for 24 years after being convicted of conspiracy to import the drugs.

Another Island man, Daniel Payne, received an 18-year sentence. Two other men, Scott Birtwistle and Zoran Dresic, were also convicted.

The court heard they picked up 11 rucksacks containing cocaine in a Force 8 gale in the middle of the English Channel, in the wake of a Brazilian containership, then dumped the drugs overboard in Freshwater Bay for someone else to collect.

Last Friday, the men received the news a Court of Appeal judge had ordered a hearing on whether the evidence they want to present should be received.

They are now awaiting a date for the hearing.

Lawyer Emily Bolton, of the charity APPEAL, who represents the men, said "This is a huge step forward for the case. This is all the men have ever asked for, a chance to present the fresh evidence in a court.

"The great shame is that it has taken so long."

She said her team had uncovered new radar evidence that contradicts the prosecution's claims about the relative positions of the fishing boat, the Galwad-y-Mor, and containership on the night — revealing another suspect vessel.

Ms Bolton said the appeal had been lodged on behalf of Beere and Payne but affected all the men.

Sue Beere, wife of Jonathan Beere, said the news was 'bittersweet.'

"Ever since Jon was arrested, it's been a roller coaster," she said.

"Every time we have had hope, that hope has been dashed when the system fails to take the time to look at the evidence properly.

"Now at last it's going to at least consider it.

"It's hard to explain to our kids why the system takes so long. I tell them it's just a broken system."

As previously reported, Daniel Payne was released two weeks ago after serving half his sentence.

Birtwistle has also been released.

The other three men remain in prison.

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