Source: Press & Journal (UK)
Copyright: 2000: Northcliffe Newspapers Group Ltd.
Contact: editor@pj.ajl.co.uk
Website: http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/
Author: Steve McKenzie

SANDRA GREGORY MERCY PLEA

Jailed drugs woman Sandra Gregory will next week learn whether the
Government will support pleas for her sentence to be cut.

Gordon MP Malcolm Bruce is to make an impassioned plea to parliament
over her plight. On Monday night he hopes to convince Government
ministers there is cross-party support for having Sandra's sentence
cut. The 34-year-old, whose parents live in Pitcaple, was jailed for
trying to take three ounces of heroin out of Thailand.

After four years in a notorious Bangkok prison she was moved to
England and her sentence reduced to 22 years. She is presently serving
her sentence HMP Cookham Wood, Kent.

Her father Stan said: "We saw Sandra on Hogmanay. It was a tearful
event. But as usual she was putting on a brave face and tried to tough
it out."

A favourable Government reaction on Monday could persude the King of
Thailand to reduce the sentence.

Stan said his daughter was trying not to bank all her hopes on the
debate. "She has had her hopes built up and smashed down so often
before," he said. "She feels the pain of disappointment greatly."

The debate will last 30 minutes and Mr Bruce will open it by making an
appeal on Sandra's behalf. Minister of State Peter Hain is expected to
be there and will give the Government's response.

A Commons insider said: "Mr Bruce and Sandra's campaigners will know
from the Minister's comments whether they have been successful.

"But the difficulty facing the Minister is that he won't want to be
seen condoning drugs."