A BACKPACKER fighting to be freed from an Indian jail has lost an appeal against his conviction.

Patrick Malluzzo and his family have always claimed the 32-year-old is innocent after he was imprisoned for smuggling cannabis in 2004.

The former City worker, who lived in Dartford, was found guilty and given a 10-year prison sentence in 2006.

Patrick was finally granted an appeal hearing after four years of delays and adjournments, but the judge upheld his conviction.

His mother Teresa, 61, said: “For years we have prayed that our son would finally receive justice in the Indian courts and be allowed to come home to us a free man.

“We are devastated by today’s decision and need some time to gather our thoughts.”

The family has always maintained Patrick was given an unfair trial and turned to charity Fair Trials International for support.

Chief executive of Fair Trials International Jago Russell said: “Patrick has been through a horrendous ordeal since his arrest in 2004 and was convicted after a grossly unfair trial.

“We are hugely disappointed that, after forcing Patrick to wait years for an appeal, the Indian courts have failed to take the opportunity to right this miscarriage of justice.”

More to follow.