CONVICTED drug smuggler Nick Baker has written to his worried mother saying he has "nothing to live for."

But Iris Baker, who continues her campaign to clear his name, is adamant that he must not give up hope.

The 32-year-old was sentenced to 14 years in a Japanese prison and fined £25,600 two weeks ago.

The Cotswold father, who used to run a sandwich shop in Cirencester, was caught carrying a suitcase containing £1.5 million worth of drugs through Tokyo's Narita Airport last May, but has always protested his innocence.

He claims he was framed by a travelling companion and his mother and leading UK officials have been urging the Japanese to consider new evidence.

Mrs Baker, who lives in Oaksey, near Cirencester, says she has had two letters from her son since the sentence was passed.

She said: "He says he's got nothing to live for and that he can't work out what's happening.

"Of course he's angry - he hasn't had a fair trial. It keeps going round and round in his mind."

Nick's travelling companion was arrested and charged for similar offences in Belgium and those campaigning for Nick say there is evidence the man has tried the same scam in other countries.

Despite repeated calls, the Japanese authorities failed to consider these facts before passing sentence and Mrs Baker continues to write to Prime Minister Tony Blair urging him to intervene.

Nick's lawyers have also lodged an appeal.

Nick, whose partner Beverley and two-year-old son George live in Stroud, has complained of mental abuse and horrific conditions in Tokyo's Chiba Prison, which he says have left him with a bent spine and deformed finger.