BRITONS SENTENCED TO DEATH, LIFE IMPRISONMENT ON DRUG CHARGES IN THAILAND

A Thai court sentenced a British man to death and another to 33 1/2
years in prison on Monday after they were found in possession of drugs
including heroin, methamphetamines and ecstasy.

Anthony Flannaghan, 33, was found guilty of illegal drug possession
with intent to sell and sentenced to death, said Judge Thawat
Choonkluabthong and court documents.

Flannaghan denied the charges and told reporters outside the court
room that he planned to appeal the sentence.

A second defendant, Stephen Wilcox, 39, was sentenced to 33 1/2 years
in prison and fined 800,000 baht (US$19,500; euro 15,300) for drug
possession, Thawat said.

Wilcox was initially sentenced to life imprisonment and fined
1,200,000 baht (US$29,300; euro 22,900), but had his sentenced reduced
after he pleaded guilty.

The convicts, whose hometowns were not immediately known, were
shackled at the ankles and handcuffed together.