On 13^th December, my son, Michael, will be sentenced for being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm and for disrupting government business.

Michael is a 20 year old man with Autism. He has multiple physical and mental health problems. On 18^th June 2016, Michael, who has also been diagnosed with OCD, severe depression, seizures, cardiac issues and Crohn’s Disease – was arrested in Las Vegas for attempting to grab a policeman’s gun at a Donald Trump rally. He later told police he had wanted to kill Mr Trump and had expected that he would die in the process.

Michael’s actions were completely out of character. He is an extremely vulnerable young man and we believe that he needs to return to the UK in order to serve his sentence. This way, he will receive appropriate medical treatment and can be visited regularly by his family – we are Michael’s only source of support.

Many kind people have generously donated to contribute to legal bills and expert opinion to help Michael’s case.  We are now hoping to raise more funds to pay for the legal team to get Michael transferred back to the UK after his sentencing hearing. 

Thank you very much indeed for your generous and kind support in helping us exceed our first fundraising target of £25,000. We are enormously grateful to our supporters. Michael himself has asked to pass on his deepest thanks to all those trying to help him.

We really need your help. If you are able to give again, it is our plan to apply under the prisoner transfer agreement for Michael to be transferred to serve the remainder of his sentence in the UK. Most of the funds raised have been used on the legal battle so far - but if we are to continue to help Michael, we need to raise more.

For this, we need to raise at least £10,000.

Thank you in advance for anything at all you are able to give.

Your contributions enabled me to visit Michael in prison in Las Vegas with his UK-based lawyer, Saimo Chahal QC (Hon) of Bindmans LLP, his grandmother and his little sister. It was so wonderful - yet so tormenting - to see my son. We were separated by a mesh screen, and it was heart‑wrenching to leave him behind. Ms Chahal discussed Michael’s plea agreement and possible sentence with his US‑based attorney.

Me, Jessica, and Michael's grandmother outside the prison in Las Vegas

During my visit to Las Vegas, I learned that Michael had been on suicide watch several times following numerous mental breakdowns. “Suicide watch” in the US involves being kept in isolation 24/7 for up to a week at a time. Other prisoners are allowed books, but these are taken away from Michael while he is in isolation. Michael isn’t even allowed toilet paper while he is in isolation.

Saimo Chahal & Michael’s US Defence Attorney, the Court House, Las Vegas, Sept 2016

Michael’s health has deteriorated as I had feared. He has lost a considerable amount of weight and is barely eating. He's being given erratic medication which he is sometimes inappropriately denied. Michael is unable to sleep at night because the lights in his cell are kept on all night. He has received death threats and is severely depressed.

Outside the Courthouse

Unfortunately, I have to reach out again to plea for more funds now ahead of Michael’s sentence on 13^th December. Michael remains extremely remorseful at his actions, but is terrified at the implications of the election result for him with sentencing drawing nearer.

I am not asking for my son to escape punishment for what he attempted to do. But because of his severe mental and physical health problems, his family – who love him very much – want him returned to the UK. We want him to serve his sentence in a safe institution for vulnerable people, where he can receive appropriate help and be closer to family.

Michael’s grandmother, sister, and I on visit to Michael, Sept 2016

Michael has been sending us letters from prison:

A letter from Michael to his family and a birthday card from Michael for his little sister Jessica's 4th birthday

We all desperately need to get out there for sentencing - Michael has requested us all to be there. I am so very fearful of what will happen to him once his sentence is handed down. We will have to leave Michael behind again, thousands of miles from home, alone, over Christmas.  If Michael thinks that he has to serve all his sentence in the US away from his family I fear that he will successfully take his own life.

Legal position

We are being advised in the UK by Saimo Chahal QC (Hon), a distinguished human rights lawyer known for her handling of complex and ground breaking cases. She is a Partner at the leading law firm, Bindmans LLP. Ms Chahal, who also specialises in Mental Health law, is helping us try and get Michael back to the UK.