The trial of three men from Wanstead and Ilford held in Dubai on drugs charges has been postponed.

Grant Cameron, 25, and Karl Williams, 25, both from Wanstead, were arrested with Suneet Jeerh, from Ilford, while on holiday in July.

Police claimed to have found synthetic cannabis known as “spice’” in their car but they deny the charges.

Human rights lawyer Marc Calcutt, who has been working with the men for charity Reprieve, said the trial due yesterday did not start.

He added: “The prosecution witnesses didn’t attend so it has been postponed until March 14.

“They have been put back in prison.”

The charity said the men were beaten, tortured and threatened by police officers and forced to sign documents in Arabic, which they do not understand.

A statement from Mr Williams claimed he was tortured by police in a hotel.

It reads: “I remember that the police put a towel on my face so I could not see.

“They kept telling me I was going to die. I was so scared.

“Once I had been knocked to the ground, the police picked me up and put me on the bed.

“They pulled down my trousers, spread my legs and started to electrocute my testicles. It was unbelievably painful. I was so scared.

“ Then they took off the towel and I could see that there was a gun pointed at my head.

“ All I could think was that the gun in my face could go off if the policeman slipped, and it would kill me.

“I started to believe that I was going to die in that room.”

Leyton and Wanstead MP John Cryer has met with relatives of his constituents Mr Cameron and Mr Williams.

Dubai’s National Media Council has said police deny allegations of torture.

The Recorder has asked the United Arab Emirates embassy to comment.

Do you know Mr Cameron, Mr Williams or Mr Jeerh?

Call us on 0208 477 3821 or email newsdesk@ilfordrecorder.co.uk.