by Adam Williams

awilliams@thekmgroup.co.uk

Hopes a former Canterbury man would be freed from an Egyptian jail this week have been dashed.

Alisdare Hickson, arrested earlier this month in Cairo during political unrest, remains in prison following a bail hearing on Monday.

The 48-year-old (pictured), who has been living in Egypt with his partner Seifein since 2007, has been detained for a further 14 days on suspicion of throwing rocks at police during demonstrations.

Alisdare, whose father Tony lives in New Dover Road, claims he was merely taking pictures of protestors when a group were arrested on February 5.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office confirmed Mr Hickson remains in prison and are continuing to provide consular advice to his family.

Tony Hickson, a recognisable character around Canterbury on his mobility scooter accompanied by Great Dane Daisy, thought Alisdare had actually been released at first.

He said: “I was out on Monday afternoon when he rang and missed the call.

"My initial thought was good news and he’d been granted bail as expected. But, it turned out he’d actually been calling from a phone inside the prison and he’ll be in jail for at least another 14 days.”

Friend Tim Bolton, an accountant based in Watling Street, wrote to the Egyptian authorities last week to provide a character witness. The 67-year-old, from Bridge, admits the whole episode has shocked him.

He said: “I can’t believe for one second the accusations being thrown at Alisdare. It can’t possibly be right, he is just too gentle a man to find himself caught up in incidents like this.

“I’ve known Alisdare for many years as a friend and associate and the first I heard about this whole saga was an email from his partner saying he’d been arrested and thrown in prison. I wrote off immediately to provide a character reference on his behalf and I just hope that goes some way to helping with Alisdare’s defence.”

See more pictures in this week's Kentish Gazette, out Thursday.