THAI DRUGS CONVICTION FINALLY QUASHED

Jody Flies Home To His Son He Has Met Just Once

The family of a British man jailed for life in Thailand for drugs
offences welcomed him home today after his conviction was quashed.

There were emotional scenes at Heathrow as Jody Aggett, looking tired
after his journey, was greeted by his five-year-old son Ryan - only
the second time that he had seen the boy. Also at the airport were his
parents, Lorna and Tony, and twin sister Tammy.

Mr Aggett's girlfriend, Ramphia Lo, gave birth in jail after she was
sentenced with Mr Aggett following their arrest in 2001.

The couple sent Ryan to live with his grandparents in
Swindon.

Originally given the death penalty, Mr Aggett had his sentence
commuted to life imprisonment in 2003.

He had been staying above a travel agent's in Bangkok with Ramphia Lo,
known in the family as Kristin, when they were arrested.

Mr Aggett's parents said that the couple had been allowed to stay
rent-free if they opened and closed the shop each day, but, unknown to
them, the owner was manufacturing ecstasy in the building.

The couple were advised to plead guilty but refused and Mr Aggett's
family campaigned, with Fair Trials Abroad, for their release for six
years.

Today Mrs Aggett said that she was welcoming her son home by
"surrounding him with lots of family love" as well as a barbecue,
beloved in her native South Africa, and an ice-cold beer.

"Jody has been our strength throughout all of this and Ryan has been
such a great comfort because every time I saw him I saw a little bit
of Jody and Kristin."

She said that she would "always admire and love" Kristin for letting
the boy come to the UK. The family will now fight to get a visa for
her.