Relatives of disabled Kilburn man jailed for drug smuggling claim his prison ‘ordeal’ could kill him

Family and friends of Daniel Roque Hall fear he will die in jail

Friends and relatives of a disabled Kilburn man jailed for drug smuggling fear his time in prison could kill him.

About 40 friends and campaigners gathered outside Wormwood Scrubs to protest against the treatment of 29-year-old Daniel Roque Hall who lived in Willesden Lane.

Earlier this month the Times highlighted the campaign for Daniel, who has Friedreich’s Ataxia (FA). He was jailed for three-and-a-half years after he was caught at Heathrow Airport with almost three kilos of cocaine stuffed in his wheelchair.

FA is a debilitating condition that causes the weakening of muscles. It carries a life expectancy of about 35 years but the body can deteriorate very quickly if sufferers are not given the exercise and treatment they require.

Friend of the family, Angela Qasar, who joined the protesters outside the prison in Du Cane Road last weekend, said: “He is going to die in there, they are neglecting him horribly. It is truly a death sentence.

“He has never denied what he has done, and we all agree he deserves to be punished, but prisoners have rights.”

Since his sentencing a string of complaints has been made against the prison services.

These include refusing to help with Daniel’s required five daily exercise routines and not providing a standing wheelchair.

Ms Qasar added: “In just one month he has declined very rapidly and lost huge amounts of weight but they just don’t care.”

A Prison Services spokesman said: “We have a duty of care to those sentenced to custody by the courts.”

He continued: “As part of that duty of care, we ensure that prisoners have access to the same level of NHS services as those in the community.

“Sentenced prisoners are entitled to one visit every two weeks.”