KIRK ASKS GOVERNMENT TO BACK CUT IN DRUG SMUGGLER'S JAIL TERM

THE Church of Scotland yesterday called on the Government to support
an appeal to the King of Thailand over the 25-year jail sentence given
to Sandra Gregory.

While not condoning the drug smuggler's actions in attempting to bring
3oz of heroin to Britain from south-east Asia, the Kirk agreed there
were mitigating circumstances in her case.

The motion, put before the general assembly by the Rev Matthew Rodger,
from Gordon in Aberdeenshire, where Gregory's parents live, received
the firm backing of delegates.

"What Sandra Gregory did was wrong, very wrong. For what she did she
deserved imprisonment. No-one would condone her action, certainly
no-one would condone what she did."

He added: "But we believe there were mitigating circumstances.

"The presbytery of Gordon believe the Government should support this
appeal.

"Sandra Gregory has now been in prison for six years. What I am asking
the assembly to do today is not to acquit her, but in terms of
deliverances already passed, to consider the restorative justice, to
consider the balance between an individual and a community."

Gregory was caught trying to smuggle 3oz of heroin out of Thailand.
She had originally gone for a three-week holiday, but decided to
extend her stay by teaching English.

Two years later, in trying to raise the money to get a flight home
after suffering from a debilitating tropical fever, she claimed
someone offered her the air fare if she carried a package back to Britain.

Mr Rodger said that if Gregory had been convicted of a similar offence
in the UK, she would have been jailed for no more than four years and
would have been released after two years. She has now been transferred
back to Durham Prison.

He said that apart from Rose West and Myra Hindley, Gregory was
serving the longest sentence of any women in Britain.

"There is no appeals system in Thailand, and any appeal against
sentence must go to the King of Thailand," he said.

"It's an appeal that's still waiting to be heard. Her lawyer believes
that for her appeal to have any success, it must be supported by the
British Government."

He reminded delegates that several years ago John Major had
successfully backed the case for the release of two British women
jailed for smuggling 300 times the quantity of drugs that Gregory was
convicted of trafficking.

Gregory's parents have written to the Prime Minister Tony Blair hoping
that he would request a reduction in their daughter's sentence but
that has so far been refused.

Last month, Stan and Doreen Gregory said they feared their daughter
was in danger of breakdown, and Mr Gregory said he wanted an
independent psychiatrist to assess his daughter's health.

Mrs Gregory said she feared her daughter would die alone in prison.
"She feels she is stuck there with no-one to turn to. Prison guards
taunt her, saying she will never be allowed parole.

"That's the kind of mental torture she goes through every day of her
life."

Last night Mrs Gregory said she was thrilled with thenews and grateful
to church ministers for their continued support.

She said: "I have been in tears for the last half hour. We are
absolutely overjoyed. I have been in touch with the prison authorities
who will hopefully pass on the message to Sandra."

"For months she has been feeling very low but this news will raise her
spirits enormously."