THE GOODIE BAGS?
THEY WERE A RIGHT LOAD OF RUBBISH.. ..AND THE IRANIANS PINCHED MY IPOD
By Chris Hughes 09/04/2007
THE gifts the Iranians gave the crew were a load of junk - and nothing in
comparison to what they stole, including Arthur Batchelor's iPod, he said
yesterday.

Before their release the Brits were given shabby grey three-piece suits
made by a local designer and a fake Hugo Boss shirt.

They also got a "granny bag" full of tat including toffees with a label
saying "containing pistachio", a CD and DVD that don't work and 11 books.

These were in English and mostly aimed at trying to convert the reader to
Islam with titles like Youth and Morals by Sayid Lari.

Arthur said of the gifts: "They're a bit pathetic. I don't know what
they're trying to prove by giving us books on morality and their religion.
My morals are fine, thank you very much. And those suits were an insult.
Not only did mine not fit, but it was cheap and tacky and the Hugo Boss
shirt was a fake. I could pick up a better outfit at a jumble sale."

When they were first captured by the Revolutionary Guards the crew were
searched and all their belongings were seized. Among the kit stolen was
Arthur's iPod, a going away gift from girlfriend Steph Nethercott.

Arthur said: "The iPod was really special to me as it was a gift. It had
our song on, Hold Me Tonight by Angel One, which was one of the tunes
playing when we first met.

"It was in a pocket in my overalls. The guards took everything off us -
including cigarettes and watches.

"All we were left with were the clothes on our back. We were told we'd get
them back - but I'm still waiting."

LIFTED BY THE REVOLUTIONARY GUARD:

2 Pacific 22 Mark II rigid in flatables - =C2=A3200,000 each

1 Navy GPS system -=C2=A32,000

14 SA80 rifles -=C2=A3500 each

Two 9mm pistols -=C2=A3200 each

Personal radios -=C2=A380 each

440 cigarettes (Marlboro Lights and Benson and Hedges (duty free) -=C2=A3=

1 iPod - =C2=A3160

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