Royal Pardon for Radio 1 DJ Grooverider Released From Dubai Jail

Legendary drum ‘n’ bass DJ Grooverider has been released from jail in Dubai after serving 10 months of a four-year sentence for drug possession.

The BBC Radio 1 presenter, real name Raymond Bingham, flew back to the UK last week where he was met by a small delegation of family and friends.

Bingham, 40, was jailed in November for cannabis possession after police at Dubai International Airport discovered 2.16g of the drug in his luggage.

At his trial in February, Bingham admitted possessing the drug, but said he had forgotten it was in his trousers and had not intended to bring it into the United Arab Emirates.

He was found guilty and sentenced to four years imprisonment.

But as a gesture of goodwill and compassion during the religious month of Ramadan, Bingham was released from jail after being included in a list of more than 700 prisoners pardoned by the Dubai royal family.

Last week, a BBC spokesperson confirmed that Bingham had returned to Britain and was spending time with his family. ‘He will be meeting with the Radio 1 management in due course,’ he added.

Grooverider scored his first and only top 40 hit in September 1998 with Rainbows of Colour.