21/2 years over forged credit cards

A HAIRDRESSER was jailed for 21/2 years by the District Court yesterday for trying to smuggle 21 forged credit cards into Japan hidden in his shoes.

Alexander Butterworth, 28, who is British but lives in Hong Kong, was stopped by officials at Narita airport, Tokyo, on August 11. He was sent back to Hong Kong and arrested.

Butterworth pleaded guilty to a charge of possessing false instruments.

Deputy Judge Davies said Butterworth, a heroin addict, had been mixing with 'evil' people who led him into the drug scene.

Ben Beaumont, defending, said one of the reasons Butterworth wanted money was to help pay for his mother to receive cancer treatment.