Sailor from Johnstone in Renfrewshire jailed in Bahrain after trying to stop street brawl

A Royal Navy sailor from Renfrewshire has been jailed for 12 weeks in Bahrain after attempting to stop a street brawl just hours before he was due to return home.

Owen Haggerty, 22, was initially held in a detention centre following the incident on February 14.

But he will spend the next three months in the Gulf state’s Hidd Prison after a judge handed Owen a custodial sentence on Wednesday for physical assault.

Kirsty Reynolds, Owen’s mum, told STV News: “He was due home on February 15 but I got a phone call the day before from a Navy officer who said Owen had been arrested in the early hours of the morning for physical assault.”

The 41-year-old mum-of-three added: “It’s the last thing I was expecting from Owen. He’s definitely not a fighter and never gets into trouble so I’m a bit shocked.

“Initially they said he would be fined and released but then he was detained for seven days. I phoned his mobile on the 15th and he said ‘mum, I’ve done nothing wrong, I tried to calm down a situation that had got out of hand’.”

Owen had been at an awards ceremony and was due to travel back home the next day. He signed out with a group of officers after spending four months on duty in Bahrain.

Owen’s family have pleaded with Royal Navy chiefs, politicians and the Foreign Office to step in and help.

Ms Reynolds said: “He was being kept in the detention part of the prison, which was supposedly the nice, clean part, but he has now been moved to the main prison now, so will be among murderers and the worst criminals.

“His brother Jack travelled over to Bahrain to support him in court but it was all over in about ten seconds and the judge sentenced Owen to 12 weeks in prison.

“I have contacted the Ministry of Defence and the Foreign Office but haven’t heard back. The British embassy in Bahrain have been no help at all.”

Ms Reynolds says the situation is taking a heavy toll on her wellbeing.

Ms Reynolds said: “Owen is just full of fun, he’s adventurous and likes to travel. He also has a good group of friends. I just can’t believe this is happening as he doesn’t have a bad bone in his body.

“I have been really up and down due to the whole situation and have had to take time off work. One minute I am OK, the next minute I am crying and then I’m really angry.

“Just the thought of him going to prison when he is innocent is awful. I was advised not to go over as it might have affected Owen’s case.

“I just want him released so that he can come home.”

A Royal Navy Spokesperson said: “The welfare of our people is a top priority which is why we are continuing to support a member of the Royal Navy detained in Bahrain as well as his family.

“We are working with the British Embassy in Bahrain and in regular contact with Bahrain’s law enforcement authorities.

“Regular visits have been made to the individual by the chain of command, colleagues and consular officials to provide support.”

A Foreign Office spokesperson said: “We are supporting the family of a British national detained in Bahrain”.