The Daily Mail has predicted that jailed jungalist Grooverider could be released in September under a general pardon offered by Dubai's ruler, Sheikh Mohammed.

The paper reported that a spokesman for the DJ said: 'He's bearing up but desperate to get out'. It’s the drum and bass star's tenth month in custody after being caught at the airport with a tiny piece of cannabis as he flew in to perform a gig.

Local newspaper the Arab Times discussed the pardon issue in February, pointing out that 11 out of 12 French people were released less than a year into their four year terms as well as US hip hop producer Dallas Austin.

Dallas Austin

The 34-year-old rap star was caught with 1.26 grams of cocaine as he flew in for a three day birthday party for supermodel Naomi Campbell and was sentenced to four years after pleading guilty.

However, the extremely well connected star was also championed by a bizarre coalition of US senators and pop figures including Quincy Jones and Lionel Richie (apparently a huge star in Dubai) and was pardoned and released on the same day as his sentencing.

BBC Radio 1 DJ Grooverider will have 3 years left to serve for possession of 2.16 grams of marijuana after being arrested in November last year, if the pardon does not go ahead.

For more on the Grooverider story click [here.] (http://www.bodytonicmusic.com/news/2008/feb/22/grooverider-goes-jail/)