Britons in Thai court on drugs charge
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.TWO Britons facing charges of smuggling pounds 24,000 worth of heroin appeared in a Thai court yesterday.
Sandra Gregory, 27, an English teacher from Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire, and Robert Lock, 29, from Cambridge, were bound over for seven days while police draw up formal charges.
They were arrested at Bangkok airport on Saturday. Police said Ms Gregory was carrying 150 grammes (5oz) of heroin in a condom inside her rectum.
According to a BBC report, she had admitted smuggling. 'They have got me. They have got photographs, I have admitted it,' she said when interviewed in her prison cell on Wednesday.
'I was stupid. I have made a mistake. I needed the money. I wanted some money to go home and it sounded so easy. Thousands of people do it every day.'
After her arrest Ms Gregory said she contacted the British embassy, which recommended a lawyer, but he had not shown up.
She said Thai police were pressuring her to sign a confession written in Thai which she did not understand.
Mr Lock is said to be denying the accusations.
British Embassy officials will visit the accused today, a spokeswoman said. Diplomats had not been in court and they were trying to contact Ms Gregory's lawyer. 'We understand Mr Lock did not ask for a lawyer to be appointed,' she said.
Ms Gregory and Mr Lock are likely to face jail sentences of between 20 and 40 years if convicted.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments