===UPDATE:===

We have managed to raise enough to pay for the fine. Let me know if you'd like to hear more about the issues about the way my friend was treated by the police, and how you can be involved in pursuing this issue further

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Please help a friend of mine in a very difficult situation. He is currently seeking asylum from persecution on the basis of his sexual orientation. He was recently issued a penalty notice (on-the-spot fine) for £90 for being drunk and disorderly by South Wales police. He believes he was issued the fine wrongly and has contacted the police to ask for the fine to be waived given his situation, but they have refused to do so. He was treated poorly by the police and intends to make a complaint, but the deadline for the fine will run out before that is possible.

As an asylum seeker, he is not permitted to work and survives on a very small allowance from the UK government. He therefore has no means to pay the fine. If he doesn't pay the fine by the deadline (11th September), he has the option to defend himself against criminal charges in court or face an increased fine. Both of these could have implications for his upcoming asylum hearing, and he does not wish to face either of them, as advised by his solicitor.

I have offered to help him by reaching out to people I know who might be able to give £5, £10 or whatever they can afford towards paying this fine. This will give him peace of mind, will not result in any admission of guilt, and will allow him to focus on his asylum hearing in September without also worrying about this. Money donated here will be transferred to my account to hand over to him. Please help if you can.