'I wasn't allowed to make phone calls': Fugitive who tried to flee Australia by riding a jet ski to Papua New Guinea claims he's been denied legal rights
- Fugitive who tried to flee Western Australia on a jet ski faced court on Friday
- David James Jackson tried to ride a jet ski to Papua New Guinea but was arrested
- He claimed he had been denied representation and not been able to make calls
- Magistrate dubbed claims as 'very strange' and granted the extradition to WA
A wanted fugitive who made a foiled attempt to flee Australia by riding a jet ski to Papua New Guinea claims he's been denied his legal rights.
David James Jackson faced Cairns Magistrate Court on Friday and tried to fight his extradition to Western Australia.
The British national, who is wanted in the western state for drug offences, told the court he had been denied legal representation and was prohibited from making phone calls.
David James Jackson (pictured) faced Cairns Magistrate Court on Friday and tried to fight his extradition to Western Australia
However the 57-year-old's claims were called into question as the duty lawyer assigned to him appeared in court on his behalf, reported 9News.
Mr Jackson also stated he'd prefer to be represented by a British embassy lawyer, but claimed he had not been able to call the embassy.
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'The duty lawyer only wants to get his face on the news, I want to fight the extradition,' he said.
But Magistrate Robert Spencer refuted his claims stating 'that is very strange' and added 'that is fanciful'.
The image shows Mr Jackson being arrested on Wednesday. He was then taken to Thursday Island, where he was detained by police
It's believed Mr Jackson was apprehended by authorities just 5km away from the Papua New Guinea mainland
Magistrate Spencer granted the extradition despite Mr Jackson's claims.
He is due to appear at both the Western Australia Magistrates Court and District Court on Monday.
The two separate appearances are for two different warrants.
Mr Jackson is believed to have left via Punsand Bay, in the far north-east of Australia, on a jet ski and travelled around 150km to Torres Strait.
He was then apprehended by the Australian Border Force, just five kilometres from the Papua New Guinea coast.
Mr Jackson was later transported to Thursday Island, where he was detained by Queensland Police pending extradition.
Mr Jackson is believed to have left via Punsand Bay, in the far north-east of Australia, on a jet ski (pictured) and travelled around 150km to Torres Strait
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