DAUGHTER OF DON IS FREED FROM GOA JAIL

THE daughter of an Oxford don who was jailed for 10 years in Goa on drugs
charges was freed yesterday after 18 months in prison.

Alexia Stewart, 29, emerged from the jail superintendent's office in
Panaji, Goa's capital, as her father Philip looked on. She said: "It feels
wonderful to be free again. It's like my birthday. I feel as if I'm born
again to a new life."

Miss Stewart and her boyfriend Gary Carter, 30, were cleared of all charges
by an appeal court on Tuesday after "lapses" were found in the police
investigation. The pair were arrested 19 months ago when police said they
found 165 grams of cannabis in their rented cottage in the village of
Vagator. They have always denied the charges, claiming that they were
arrested after refusing to pay police a pounds 2,000 bribe.

The two-judge appeal court said "the bench found it difficult to believe
that the contraband was recovered from their possession". Mr Carter's
release was delayed over technicalities.

Miss Stewart completed formalities at Aguada jail, paying 104 rupees
(pounds 1.50) for milk supplied to her. Mr Stewart, director of human
sciences at St Anne's, said she had stayed "far too long" in prison. She
had spent most of her time in a cell 12 yards square with 15 other women,
he said.

The Stewarts will stay in Goa until an exit visa is arranged for Miss
Stewart. She said: "I spent my time cleaning rice and making brooms out of
palm leaves. In my free time I read a bit, wrote letters and practised
yoga." She had slept on the floor until she found a sleeping bag.