MEMBERS of City of York Council are to write to the Indian High Commissioner calling for the release of jailed deaf charity worker Ian Stillman.

The letter is to be sent after members unanimously backed a motion from Coun Janet Looker in support of the campaign to have Ian released from his ten-year sentence.

Speaking at last night's full meeting of City of York Council, Coun Looker said: "I feel very strongly that we should support this campaign, that has been running in York and through the pages of the Evening Press.

"It is something I feel particularly strongly about, as I have in a past life represented a totally deaf person in court proceedings, and know how difficult it can be if you are deaf to work through the legal process.

"As Ian Stillman is not only deaf, but an amputee and a diabetic, the chances of his surviving this sort of sentence are low."

Suggesting the letter in an amendment to the motion, Liberal Democrat leader Steve Galloway said: "It is a basic part of the justice system that people being tried understand the process. That seems to be very much in question in this case."

Ian, whose parents live in Tadcaster Road, York, received the ten-year sentence last year after being convicted of cannabis possession, something he has always denied.

Stephen Jakobi, director of Fair Trials Abroad, has said Ian's case is the worst he has ever seen.

Updated: 11:49 Tuesday, July 16, 2002