A British man arrested in Bali for drug-related offenses has been sentenced to 10 months in jail after an Indonesian court dropped more serious charges that could have led to the death penalty.
Thomas Parker, a 32-year-old electrician from northwest England, was arrested on January 21 near the tourist hotspot of Kuta Beach. According to police, Parker was acting suspiciously while picking up a package from a motorcycle taxi driver. He allegedly tried to flee and discarded the package when approached by officers. Authorities later arrested him at a nearby villa.
A lab analysis confirmed the package contained over 1 kilogram (2.326 pounds) of MDMA, the active ingredient in ecstasy. However, investigators later determined Parker had not ordered the package. It had been sent by a friend identified only as “Nicky,” with whom Parker had communicated via Telegram. Parker claimed he initially refused to collect the package but relented after being assured it was safe and posed no legal risk.
Because the drugs could not be directly linked to Parker, prosecutors reduced the original charge of drug trafficking — which carries the possibility of execution by firing squad under Indonesian law — to a lesser offense of withholding information from authorities.
The trial began last month at Denpasar District Court. On May 6, prosecutors recommended a one-year sentence. The judges ultimately handed down a 10-month term, citing Parker’s remorse, clean criminal record, and cooperation during the investigation.
Parker, who has already served four months in custody, will be released within the next several months. After the sentencing, he told the court, “I really, really regret everything that has happened. I am sorry and will follow the judge’s decision.”
Indonesia has some of the world’s toughest drug laws. As of 2025, over 500 people — including 96 foreigners — remain on death row in the country, mostly for drug offenses. The last executions were carried out in 2016.
Prosecutors have one week to decide whether to accept the court’s ruling.
