A NORTH Wales man jailed in Japan after a violent bar brawl tasted freedom yesterday after nearly four years behind bars . The ordeal of 34-year-old Patrick Loughlin, from Penley, Wrexham, ended as he walked out of a prison in Osaka. It is understood Mr Loughlin was sent straight to Japanese immigration control to be processed before his long flight home. His mum Kath Loughlin said : "The Foreign Office told us at 12 o-clock that he had been released. "I am just so glad I got the telephone call, I didn't want to believe it until then and it was a tremendous relief. "At the moment I am just too excited. The last time I spoke to Patrick was nearly four years ago. He was behind a glass screen before he was put in detention and I haven't heard his voice since." Mr Loughlin has always protested his innocence and has made serious allegations about his treat-ment in jail in Japan. The campaign to free him was supported by Glenys Kinnock MEP, Glen Ford MEP and Clwyd South MP Martyn Jones. Campaign groups like Amnesty, Fair Trials Abroad, Prisoners Abroad and Redress, also protested his case. Mrs Kinnock said: "It is wonderful news for his friends and family who have campaigned so hard to get Patrick back to Wales." Mr Loughlin was working in Kariya, Japan, when he was involved in a brawl when a man died after falling and hitting his head on a wall. Despite being confronted with men brandishing weapons, including a Kendo sword, Loughlin was the only person arrested and charged His original lawyer could not speak English and against Mr Loughlin's instructions entered a guilty plea on his client's behalf. | 
