A YORK man who was accused of drug trafficking in Thailand has been freed on bail and had the charge against him reduced to possession.

The Evening Press reported in later editions yesterday that Robert Duncan Neilson, 44, from Bad Bargain Lane, had been freed - despite earlier appearing in court in the Thai town of Pattaya accused of trafficking.

His brother, Richard, also from York, told the Press that Robert had called him to say he had been released and the charges had been lessened, and that he expected to be home soon.

Thai police today revealed that he had been freed from jail after paying over £10,000 bail money.

Robert Neilson, who is also known as Robert Duncan Bailey, was released from a court cell after a bail bondsman turned up with cash and land title deeds to bid for his release.

Thai police had accused Robert Neilson of attempting to traffic over 600g of heroin, 80 bottles of ketamine and nearly 500g of cannabis.

But they said today they had reduced the charge to possession.

Robert Neilson could still be sentenced to over 20 years in jail, but a Thai-based journalist told the Evening Press that in previous cases foreigners have rarely stayed in Thailand long after being given the chance of freedom.

There appears also to be a doubt as to whether police are still in possession of the drugs, which they say they found in a house rented by Robert Neilson in Pattaya.

The charges relate to a raid on his house on October 4 last year when police say they found the drugs packaged and waiting to be sent to him in England.

Updated: 09:51 Saturday, October 18, 2003