A senior British man known for playing bowls accused of involvement in drug trafficking internationally has been discharged from incarceration in Chile due to his deteriorating health condition. William ‘Billy Boy’ Eastment, an 80-year-old retired mechanic and avid bowls player, was granted full house arrest by a Santiago court as his legal case progresses. Eastment, who had been in custody since last May, was moved from Santiago 1 Penitentiary after a hearing where both prosecution and defense acknowledged his declining physical state.
During his appearance in court, Eastment appeared fragile, dressed in a loose white sweatshirt, and relied on a translator to follow the proceedings. His arrest occurred during a layover in Santiago while on his way from Mexico to Australia, where authorities allegedly found nearly five kilograms of methamphetamine in his luggage. Eastment has consistently claimed innocence, stating that he was deceived into carrying the suitcase.
His lawyer, Macarena Vial, emphasized Eastment’s critical health situation, highlighting his chronic health issues that have worsened significantly while in custody. The court was informed of his weight loss and the challenges he faced managing his medical condition behind bars.
Eastment’s lawyer detailed the complexities of obtaining necessary medical supplies for his condition, including colostomy bags that are not provided by the prison. The court’s decision to place him under house arrest in a designated facility with daily care and supervision was accompanied by orders for medical treatment and enrollment in the national health system.
Despite language barriers during his detention, Eastment managed to form relationships with fellow inmates. Concerns had been growing about his health, with reports of repeated pneumonia episodes and other serious health conditions. Negotiations for a shortened trial process were underway due to his deteriorating condition, with extradition to the UK not being considered a viable option.
Eastment’s legal proceedings are ongoing, with the defense presenting his belief that he was misled by individuals posing as representatives of the International Monetary Fund. The criminal case against him remains unresolved.