A couple's dream trip to New York has been shattered by a 37-year-old conviction for stealing an apple. John Wells won the transatlantic trip plus spending money but can't go because of the offence in 1971.
The 55-year-old has to have an interview at the American embassy in London, where the earliest slot is in February - two months after the trip.
'I felt sick when they told me the date of the interview,' he said. 'I don't know what I'm going to do. What amazes me is that if I was a rapist or murderer, I would have to go through the same process.
But all I did was steal an apple.'
Mr Wells, from Hucknall, Nottinghamshire, and a pal stole an apple each from outside a shop during a boozy night.
He was fined £10 and the conviction is now classed as a 'spent offence' in Britain. But American law demands anyone with a criminal conviction, no matter how old or trivial, must declare it in advance and apply for a entry visa.
'I've been all over the world and this has never caused a problem before,' added Mr Wells, who won the trip on a Smooth FM radio contest.
'I might have to raffle the prize for charity now. I'm totally gutted.'
A spokesman for the radio station said: 'There is little we can do now.'
The American embassy declined to comment.
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