Three men who were on holiday in Dubai claim to have been subjected to torture, including beatings and electric shocks, after being arrested in the United Arab Emirates.

Grant Cameron and Karl Williams, both 25 and from Wanstead and Suneet Jeerh, also 25 and from Ilford, have been in custody for seven months after being arrested when police claim to have found synthetic cannabis known as 'spice' in their car.

The three men have pleaded not guilty to the charge of consumption and possession with intent to distribute and are due to have their first hearing today.

Human rights charity Reprieve claim the men signed documents in Arabic - a language none of the men understand - after being beaten and threatened with guns.

Reprieve lawyer Marc Callcutt took down the men's witness statements in which their torture is detailed.

Mr Williams' said in his witness statement his was beaten in a hotel room and was electrocuted in the testicles.

He said: "I remember that the police put a towel on my face so I could not see. They kept telling me I was going to die. I was so scared.

"Once I had been knocked to the ground, the police picked me up and put me on the bed. They pulled down my trousers, spread my legs and started to electrocute my testicles. It was unbelievably painful. I was so scared.

"Then they took off the towel and I could see that there was a gun pointed at my head. All I could think was that the gun in my face could go off if the policeman slipped, and it would kill me. I started to believe that I was going to die in that room."

Reprieve lawyer Marc Callcutt, who drafted the witness statements, has called on the Dubai authorities to drop the charges.

MP for Wanstead John Cryer met with relatives of Mr Cameron and Mr Williams yesterday.

He said: "I am very concerned for the well being of the men and was horrified to learn of the alleged accounts of torture and intimidation.

“I will be making immediate representations to the Foreign Secretary urging the FCO to investigate the allegations of torture and to  request an urgent meeting with me and my constituents families to discuss the case in full.

"It is imperative that the UK Government can bear pressure of the Dubai authorities to independently investigate the allegations of torture and to offer full consular support to the men and their families.”