A young Gosnells man has been sentenced to a year in a Thailand prison for a crime he said he didn't commit.

Thai jail: Gosnells man Olivier Niyonsaba to spend one year in Thailand jail for stealing

Joey CatanzaroPerthNow

FAMILY and friends of a Gosnells man behind bars in a dangerous Thai prison are pleading for help, claiming the 21-year-old was set up.

Olivier Niyonsaba was accused of stealing a pair of sunglasses and a necklace, worth a combined $250, from a handbag at a Pattaya nightclub in April.

The 21-year-old’s loved ones say he was then tricked into signing a confession that will now see him spend a year in Pattaya prison – where tourists have been beaten to death.

“He got a document that they told him to sign, but he didn’t know what it was and he didn’t have a translater,” close friend Amber Nagle said.

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The sunglasses and necklace, valued at $250.
Camera IconThe sunglasses and necklace, valued at $250. Credit: 7 News

Mr Niyonsaba told Ms Nagle he found a bag in the nightclub bathroom and picked it up to look for ID.

The 21-year-old was arrested and held for four days, before spending four months on bail waiting for a trial in Thailand.

Mr Niyonsaba’s friends say he then received new advice telling him to plead guilty.

“If he did plead guilty, then he’d have a good chance of coming home,” Ms Nagle said.

Olivier Niyonsaba was accused of stealing a pair of sunglasses and a necklace.
Camera IconOlivier Niyonsaba was accused of stealing a pair of sunglasses and a necklace. Credit: 7 News

But after entering his guilty plea three days ago, the 21-year-old was sentenced to a year behind bars.

Seven News understands Mr Niyonsaba is sharing a cell with up to 80 other prisoners in cramped conditions.

“He’s not that kind of person,” Ms Nagle said.

“They just need to listen to his story.”