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Drug convict held at Thai airport | Drug convict held at Thai airport |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Sandra Gregory, the Briton jailed in Thailand for drug smuggling, has been held at Bangkok airport after trying to enter the country, the BBC understands. | |
She was pardoned by the King of Thailand in 2000 after initially being sentenced to death in 1993. | |
The 44-year-old, of West Yorkshire, has texted friends in the UK to say she was refused entry to Thailand, despite having a valid visa. | The 44-year-old, of West Yorkshire, has texted friends in the UK to say she was refused entry to Thailand, despite having a valid visa. |
She told them she expects to be deported within 48 hours. | She told them she expects to be deported within 48 hours. |
In a text message she said: "I haven't eaten or slept for days. They're telling me I don't get to choose." | In a text message she said: "I haven't eaten or slept for days. They're telling me I don't get to choose." |
'Deeply regretted' | 'Deeply regretted' |
Gregory, of Sowerby Bridge, was caught with 86.9g of heroin inside a condom in her body at Bangkok airport in 1993. | Gregory, of Sowerby Bridge, was caught with 86.9g of heroin inside a condom in her body at Bangkok airport in 1993. |
The initial death sentence was commuted to 25 years imprisonment after she admitted the charge. | The initial death sentence was commuted to 25 years imprisonment after she admitted the charge. |
She spent four-and-a-half years in the notorious Klong Prem Prison - nicknamed the Bangkok Hilton - where she had been held in a room with 80 other women, before being transferred to a jail in Kent. | She spent four-and-a-half years in the notorious Klong Prem Prison - nicknamed the Bangkok Hilton - where she had been held in a room with 80 other women, before being transferred to a jail in Kent. |
After receiving the royal pardon, she went on to gain a 2:1 honours degree in geography from Oxford University. | After receiving the royal pardon, she went on to gain a 2:1 honours degree in geography from Oxford University. |
Friends said Gregory had gone back to Thailand to "tie up loose ends". | Friends said Gregory had gone back to Thailand to "tie up loose ends". |
Friend Susan May said: "She said she loves the country despite everything that happened, and she deeply regretted what she did. | Friend Susan May said: "She said she loves the country despite everything that happened, and she deeply regretted what she did. |
"She wanted to go back to visit friends she made in the jail and lay some ghosts to rest." | "She wanted to go back to visit friends she made in the jail and lay some ghosts to rest." |
The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office was unable to confirm any details. | The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office was unable to confirm any details. |