Menu
25/11/2013
Peru Two 'Could Be Sentenced Before Christmas'
The 'Peru Two' could be sentenced before Christmas, one of the women's parents has claimed.
Michaella McCollum Connolly, 20, from Dungannon, and Melissa Reid, also 20 and from Lenzie in Scotland, are currently awaiting sentencing in a prison in Peru after they were caught trying to smuggle £1.5m of cocaine out of the country earlier this year.
The pair pleaded guilty to drug trafficking in September.
Speaking to the Mail on Sunday, Melissa Reid's mother, Debbie, revealed she had visited her daughter at Virgine de Fatima prison in Peru and the family was informed that a sentencing could happen before Christmas. They were also involved in discussions with a family lawyer to see when the two women may be able to return to their homes in Scotland and Northern Ireland, respectively.
Speaking to the Mail on Sunday, Melissa's father, William, said: "We understand the legal system in Peru doesn't move as fast as in the UK."
His wife Debbie added: "Getting the sentence will give us something to work towards. We're just hoping for the shortest possible sentence.
"There could be a shock coming but we're just hoping for the best."
Both Michaella and Melissa were stopped as they prepared to board a flight from Lima to Spain in August of this year. They initially denied the charges, claiming they had been forced to carry the drugs. Their pleas were later changed in the hopes of receiving a reduced sentence, but they were rejected, with anti-narcotics prosecutors saying the women had only admitted partial guilt for their actions.
(JP/CD)
Michaella McCollum Connolly, 20, from Dungannon, and Melissa Reid, also 20 and from Lenzie in Scotland, are currently awaiting sentencing in a prison in Peru after they were caught trying to smuggle £1.5m of cocaine out of the country earlier this year.
The pair pleaded guilty to drug trafficking in September.
Speaking to the Mail on Sunday, Melissa Reid's mother, Debbie, revealed she had visited her daughter at Virgine de Fatima prison in Peru and the family was informed that a sentencing could happen before Christmas. They were also involved in discussions with a family lawyer to see when the two women may be able to return to their homes in Scotland and Northern Ireland, respectively.
Speaking to the Mail on Sunday, Melissa's father, William, said: "We understand the legal system in Peru doesn't move as fast as in the UK."
His wife Debbie added: "Getting the sentence will give us something to work towards. We're just hoping for the shortest possible sentence.
"There could be a shock coming but we're just hoping for the best."
Both Michaella and Melissa were stopped as they prepared to board a flight from Lima to Spain in August of this year. They initially denied the charges, claiming they had been forced to carry the drugs. Their pleas were later changed in the hopes of receiving a reduced sentence, but they were rejected, with anti-narcotics prosecutors saying the women had only admitted partial guilt for their actions.
(JP/CD)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
22 June 2016
Drug Smuggler Melissa Reid Released From Prison In Peru
A woman from Scotland who was behind bars in Peru has been released and is making her way back to the UK. Melissa Reid, 22, from Lenzie was arrested with Michaella McCollum from Dungannon, Co Tyrone, after being caught trying to smuggle 11kg of cocaine at Lima airport in 2013. The release process is now complete, according to reports.
Drug Smuggler Melissa Reid Released From Prison In Peru
A woman from Scotland who was behind bars in Peru has been released and is making her way back to the UK. Melissa Reid, 22, from Lenzie was arrested with Michaella McCollum from Dungannon, Co Tyrone, after being caught trying to smuggle 11kg of cocaine at Lima airport in 2013. The release process is now complete, according to reports.
18 December 2013
'Peru Two' Sentenced
Two women arrested in Peru on suspicion of drug smuggling have been sentenced to six years and eight months in prison. Michaella McCollum, from Dungannon, County Tyrone and Melissa Reid from near Glasgow in Scotland will serve their sentences in Peru.
'Peru Two' Sentenced
Two women arrested in Peru on suspicion of drug smuggling have been sentenced to six years and eight months in prison. Michaella McCollum, from Dungannon, County Tyrone and Melissa Reid from near Glasgow in Scotland will serve their sentences in Peru.
01 April 2016
Michaella McCollum Released From Prison - Reports
A drugs mule from Northern Ireland has reportedly been released from prison in Peru. Michaella McCollum from Co Tyrone and Melissa Reid from Scotland were attempting to board a plane with 24lbs of cocaine stashed inside food packets in their luggage when they were stopped and arrested in Lima.
Michaella McCollum Released From Prison - Reports
A drugs mule from Northern Ireland has reportedly been released from prison in Peru. Michaella McCollum from Co Tyrone and Melissa Reid from Scotland were attempting to board a plane with 24lbs of cocaine stashed inside food packets in their luggage when they were stopped and arrested in Lima.
07 January 2015
NI Prison Bid For Michaella McCollum
It has been reported that a request from Michaella McCollum, to transfer from a Peruvian jail to one in Northern Ireland, has been approved. Ms McCollum, 21 and from Dungannon in Co Tyrone, was arrested in Peru alongside 20-year-old Melissa Reid, who is from Scotland, in August 2013.
NI Prison Bid For Michaella McCollum
It has been reported that a request from Michaella McCollum, to transfer from a Peruvian jail to one in Northern Ireland, has been approved. Ms McCollum, 21 and from Dungannon in Co Tyrone, was arrested in Peru alongside 20-year-old Melissa Reid, who is from Scotland, in August 2013.
10 December 2013
Peru Drug Suspects - Sentencing Postponed
Two women who pleaded guilty to trying to smuggle cocaine out of Peru during the summer have had their sentencing postponed. Michaela McCollum, from Dungannon in County Tyrone and Melissa Reid, from Lenzie near Glasgow, both 20 years old, admitted trying to smuggle cocaine worth £1.5m in August.
Peru Drug Suspects - Sentencing Postponed
Two women who pleaded guilty to trying to smuggle cocaine out of Peru during the summer have had their sentencing postponed. Michaela McCollum, from Dungannon in County Tyrone and Melissa Reid, from Lenzie near Glasgow, both 20 years old, admitted trying to smuggle cocaine worth £1.5m in August.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Any rain along the north coast soon clearing north to give a dry evening. Further rain will move south and east in the early hours, occasionally heavy. Remaining mild. Minimum temperature 8 °C.
