A Liverpool dance teacher has been detained in Taiwan after an item was reportedly found in his suitcase. Lewis Potter, 25, had just touched down in the foreign country when he was taken into custody last month, leaving his devastated family desperate for answers.
Family's nightmare
His mum Erin Potter, from Fife, said: "As a family, we are heartbroken. We are extremely close, and having Lewis so far away has left a huge hole in our lives. For over a month, we had no contact with him and didn’t know what had happened.
"The uncertainty, the language barrier and the seven-hour time difference have made this one of the most difficult experiences our family has ever faced. Every day has felt like a nightmare, and all we want is to know that our son is safe and to give him the best possible chance of getting through this."
Friend's suitcase
She said Lewis, a former Liverpool Theatre School student and tutor at LP Creative, maintained he had no knowledge of what he was carrying when he entered Taiwan in June. "He and a friend had originally planned to travel to Taiwan together, but shortly before the trip, the friend pulled out and asked Lewis to take his suitcase for him instead.
"Lewis says this was someone he trusted, and he had no reason to believe there was anything wrong with the suitcase. His case is currently under investigation, and he is receiving legal representation as the legal process continues."
Legal representation
After weeks of searching, the family appointed a lawyer in Taiwan who met with Lewis. Until then, no one had been able to speak to him, not even the British Embassy. The family paid for the lawyer, and everything they know about his situation has come through that meeting.
Lewis is a professional dance teacher who owns his own business and spends his days inspiring children. The family is now hoping to crowd-fund the legal fees required to support him. Erin said legal representation is expected to cost around £12,000, with approximately £6,000 required during the investigation and a further £6,000 if the case proceeds to court.
A Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office spokesperson said: "We are supporting the family of a British national detained in Taiwan and are in contact with the local authorities."
Erin's "Supporting My Son Lewis Potter" online crowdfunder has received over £1,200 so far.
