The family of Welshman Daniel Holmes, currently serving a 10-and-a-half year jail term in Malta for growing cannabis plants, has expressed outrage after another man on Monday was jailed for just three years and fined €3,000 for growing eight cannabis plants.

“When Daniel saw this he was incredibly annoyed and upset. He told us about it yesterday and it makes us very cross. It’s just so unfair. We try to stay strong and then you see this. It’s adding insult to injury,” Daniel’s mother, Kate, told WalesOnline.

Holmes had admitted growing five cannabis plants, but the Appeals Court in Malta had said he was actually in possession of 32 plants and an extra bag containing 600 grams of cannabis leaves.

Mrs Holmes said she and her husband last visted Daniel in Malta in February. They have been unable to come since for health reasons, with Mr Holmes (snr) having suffered a stroke.

She claimed the prison is filthy and inmates have to buy drinking water because water is so foul.

She said Daniel has never been given a place on a study course and has started writing poetry to keep himself busy.

 Last March Daniel Holmes’ lawyers said they planned to file a human rights case against Malta over disparity in sentencing.

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