[420 Girl]

Lorry driver John Vasey's six-year nightmare could soon be over.
The Echo revealed on Monday that John was travelling to France to learn the outcome of his appeal against a conviction for drug smuggling.

The 48-year-old spent 14 months behind bars in France after he was arrested when police discovered £2.5milllion-worth of cannabis in his lorry as he crossed the border from Spain in February 2003.

He was bailed in May 2004 pending further investigations but sentenced to five years in prison when he was convicted at a retrial in October 2007.

That sentence was put on hold when John appealed and yesterday he was back in France to learn his fate.

Now the case has been adjourned until next month – but John has been told he will not be required to return to France for the verdict.

"We have got to wait until February 10 for the judgment but I don't have to return to court to hear it," he said.

John is hoping that means his six-year fight to clear his name is finally nearing an end.

"They don't want me to come back and, while I am not counting my chickens, I am taking that as good news," he said.

"They will inform my French barrister in Paris who will inform me of the result and that should be it finished, one way or the other.

"My legs are shaking. I am just totally relieved that it is over."

John has always maintained his innocence and insists he was unaware the drugs had been planted on his truck.

But the French authorities had argued that a driver was legally obliged to be aware of everything he was carrying and that John's ignorance of the true nature of his load was no excuse.

Now he is looking forward to a fresh start at the home in Rickleton Village, Washington, he shares with 14-year-old son David and fiancee Suzie Eldin, 29.

"We have got the champagne on ice," he said.

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