News, views and top stories in your inbox. Don't miss our must-read newsletter Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Matthew Hedges could be detained alongside convicted murderers in a 'medieval hellhole' that houses up to 40 prisoners in a cell.

It is feared the academic could be sent to notorious Al-Wathba prison after being handed down a life sentence for spying by a UAE court last week.

Former British inmate, Johnny de Domenicio, has laid bare the 'medieval' conditions at the jail after spending 10 months behind bars there in 2008.

During his time there, Johnny says his weight dropped from 13st to just 9st and was forced to share a cell with a man convicted of decapitating five people.

(Image: Internet Unknown)

"Each time you think that you have reached the lowest depth you could ever reach you are thrown into a deeper hell", he told the Sunday Times.

"It's medieval - there is nothing sanitary about it. There were no lavatories - just a hole in the corner of the floor, and sometimes not even a hole."

Johnny - who was living in the country at the time - says his nightmare began when he was arrested in Abu Dhabi airport after returning from a holiday to India.

Authorities discovered the traveller had hashish in his bloodstream and found temazepam - prescription pills which are banned in the strict Islamic country.

(Image: Google)

After four weeks in a cell, de Domenicio says he was handed down a four-year sentence without a trial.

The former costume designer, now 47, had moved to the UAE in 2006 in order to set up a modelling agency and was forced to hide he was gay.

Johnny says those convicted of drug offences in the United Arab Emirates are considered the lowest of the low.

When he first arrived at Al Wathba, Johnny says he was stripped and left naked for for 24 hours.

"That first 24 hours is complete hell. Then they herd you up and take you to the prison barber, who shaves your head."

(Image: ICFUAE)

He says he only managed to survive his time there by developing a new persona and striking up friendships with other prisoners.

A decade later, Johnny says he still has "mental scars" but believes Matthew can get through the ordeal with support.

"I wish I could guide Matthew through this. I never thought I could survive - but if I can, anyone can", he said.

Mr Hedges, 31, originally from Exeter and a former Dubai resident, was arrested at Dubai International Airport as he tried to leave the country on May 5 following a two-week visit.

Professor Stuart Corbridge, vice-chancellor of Durham University, said there is "no reason to believe that Matt was conducting anything other than legitimate academic research".

(Image: PA)

His wife, Daniela Tejada has launched a petition on Change.org which has gathered more than 180,000 signatures.

She revealed the heartbreaking last moments they had together before he was jailed for life for spying.

She said that the Durham academic, 31, was shaking in court when he was given a life sentence in Dubai ad says she did not even get to say goodbye.