Ex-LUFC boss speaks of “horrific” ordeal in Dubai prison

DAVID HAIGH, the newly-released former Leeds United director and businessman has told of the “horrific” conditions he faced in a Dubai jail.

In late 2015, Mr Haigh was convicted of a breach of trust, he was accused of falsifying documents to defraud Gulf Finance House, former majority owners of Leeds United, of £3m.

Earlier in the year, Mr Haigh’s case was taken up by Human Rights Watch, an influential organisation which demanded charges against Mr Haigh for cybercrimes, which claimed he had slandered GFH on social media despite limited access to internet.

He accused his jailers of abuse, including attempted sexual abuse, and poor conditions in the interview with the Yorkshire Evening Post.

Mr Haigh said that a prison block built for 32 often housed between 50 and 100 other prisoners.

He said; said: “You are surrounded by this depravity. I will never forget, I was sitting there and the police are torturing a guy behind me.”

He added: “I want the British Embassy to make a travel warning, to people, tourists and businessmen who go to Dubai, that you need to be aware of the law on social media, you can end up in jail.”

However he did say that the Embassy was “wholly inadequate” when it came to making complaints about the conditions in jail.

Mr Haigh said once he had sought medical treatment for the abuse suffered in prison, he would begin his legal fightback.

Earlier today it was announced that Mr Haigh’s legal defence would be coming up against a different team at GFH, who have replaced their legal counsel .

One of Mr Haigh’s successors at the club Edoardo Cellino has also been in hot water for offensive messaging on social media , though has only received a charge from the Football Association so far.