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Peru drugs mule Melissa Reid 'to be released' from prison | Peru drugs mule Melissa Reid 'to be released' from prison |
(about 5 hours later) | |
Briton Melissa Reid, who was jailed for trying to smuggle drugs from Peru, is to be released from prison, authorities in the country have said. | Briton Melissa Reid, who was jailed for trying to smuggle drugs from Peru, is to be released from prison, authorities in the country have said. |
The 22-year-old, from Lenzie, near Glasgow, and Michaella McCollum, from Co Tyrone, were jailed in 2013 for attempting to smuggle cocaine to Spain. | The 22-year-old, from Lenzie, near Glasgow, and Michaella McCollum, from Co Tyrone, were jailed in 2013 for attempting to smuggle cocaine to Spain. |
Reid has served about a third of her sentence of six years and eight months. | Reid has served about a third of her sentence of six years and eight months. |
McCollum, 23, was freed last month after serving two years and three months in prison. | McCollum, 23, was freed last month after serving two years and three months in prison. |
However, it is anticipated she will have to remain in Peru for a considerable period as part of her parole conditions. | However, it is anticipated she will have to remain in Peru for a considerable period as part of her parole conditions. |
Peruvian authorities said, following a court hearing on Friday, they had agreed to expel Reid from the country. | |
They said she had met the legal requirements to be released because she had complied with other measures. | |
A UK Foreign Office statement released on Saturday said: "We continue to provide assistance to Melissa Reid, and remain in contact with her family and local authorities." | |
'Moment of madness' | 'Moment of madness' |
McCollum and Reid were caught with an estimated £1.5m of cocaine at Lima airport on 6 August 2013 while attempting to board a flight to Madrid, in Spain. | McCollum and Reid were caught with an estimated £1.5m of cocaine at Lima airport on 6 August 2013 while attempting to board a flight to Madrid, in Spain. |
The pair were caught with 24lb (11kg) of cocaine in food packets hidden inside their luggage. | The pair were caught with 24lb (11kg) of cocaine in food packets hidden inside their luggage. |
They had claimed they were forced to carry the drugs, but pleaded guilty to charges later that year. | They had claimed they were forced to carry the drugs, but pleaded guilty to charges later that year. |
They had faced the prospect of a maximum 15-year prison term but struck a behind-closed-doors plea bargain to secure a shorter sentence. | They had faced the prospect of a maximum 15-year prison term but struck a behind-closed-doors plea bargain to secure a shorter sentence. |
Following her release, McCollum told Irish state broadcaster RTÉ she had been "very naive, so young and very insecure". | Following her release, McCollum told Irish state broadcaster RTÉ she had been "very naive, so young and very insecure". |
"A lot of times I didn't know how to say no to somebody," she said. | "A lot of times I didn't know how to say no to somebody," she said. |
"I kind of just followed along with it and I guess a part of me kind of wanted to be something I'm not. | "I kind of just followed along with it and I guess a part of me kind of wanted to be something I'm not. |
"But, simply, I made a decision in my moment of madness." | "But, simply, I made a decision in my moment of madness." |
Reid's father Billy has previously said the impact of his daughter's imprisonment on his family had been "horrendous". | Reid's father Billy has previously said the impact of his daughter's imprisonment on his family had been "horrendous". |
He said: "It's horrendous to see your daughter in handcuffs and the living conditions that she has to put up with. | |
"Melissa has spent her own 20th and 21st birthdays in prison in Peru." |