A British woman who became pregnant while awaiting trial in Laos was sentenced to life in prison today after being found guilty of drug smuggling.
A court in the capital Vientiane gave Samantha Orobator the maximum prison term after a three-hour hearing held behind closed doors, a British diplomat who attended the trial said.
Ms Orobator (20), was arrested in the communist Southeast Asian nation in August 2008 with more than 0.6 kg (1.3lbs) of heroin.
"The defendant was sentenced to life in prison," the diplomat said. "We are now seeking access to Samantha so we can discuss what we can do next."
Although the amount of heroin Orobator was carrying exceeded the statutory minimum for the death penalty, Laos officials told British ministers last month that she faced only a prison sentence if convicted.
Britain and Laos signed a prisoner transfer agreement on May 7th which could allow Ms Orobator to serve most of her sentence at home.
Ms Orobator, clad in a blue prison uniform, did not speak to reporters after her trial. She appeared distressed as police put her in a van to return to prison.
Mystery surrounds how she was able to conceive while behind bars and Lao and British officials have released few details about her much-publicised case.
Ms Orobator's mother Jane (40) is a student at Trinity College Dublin. She lives with her three other daughters in Castleknock. When Ms Orobator moved to Dublin eight years ago, she left Samantha in London to live with her aunt.
Reuters