ABC journalist Peter Lloyd As one of the ABC's most respected foreign correspondents, with years of reporting in Asia and the Middle East

ABC journalist Peter Lloyd As one of the ABC's most respected foreign correspondents, with years of reporting in Asia and the Middle East, he knows only too well the seriousness of his predicament.He looked a broken man.In his first appearance in public since his arrest last week, there was no evidence of the ebullient on-air persona that Aunty's viewers know so well. In its place was the bleak stare of a man mired in uncertainty. The 41-year-old, who is accused of possessing and supplying the drug ice, stared with empty eyes that betrayed no emotion as he emerged into the stifling tropical heat. He carefully walked the few metres to a hire car, seemingly oblivious to the waiting cameras and the questions from his media colleagues. If he had answers, he was not going to reveal them. Looking gaunt and tired, the pressure of the past week was etched on his face. His clothes and casual shoes resembled the crumpled attire of a backpacker rather than an experienced reporter at the peak of his career. In his first appearance in public since his arrest last week, Lloyd was only in front of the cameras for a matter of seconds, but his stare remained constant and focused.
Speaking for Lloyd was his close friend and ABC colleague Tim Palmer, who flew to the city-state last weekend to do what he could to help. Palmer said Lloyd was thankful to his supporters and had no complaints about how Singaporean authorities had handled the matter. Part of Lloyd's original reason for his trip to Singapore was to have treatment for an eye infection and his health had improved, Palmer said.
Lloyd's legal fight would begin in earnest, he said. The battle will undoubtedly be made even tougher by what is being held at stake: his career, his physical wellbeing and his freedom. Lloyd faces a maximum of 20 years in jail and 15 strokes of the cane if convicted. Nowhere in sight yesterday was friend and confidant Mohamed Mazlee bin abdul Malik, a Singaporean who posted $34,500 bail on Wednesday.
At Mr Malik's plush condominium complex - where Lloyd is required to live as a condition of his bail - neighbours said no one was home. However, remaining close by was ABC news boss John Cameron who, despite telling reporters earlier in the day that he was leaving and had no further role in Lloyd's defence, was present at the journalist's legal conference. Lloyd will face the Subordinates Court again today

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