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13/01/2005
Thatcher steers clear of jail after admitting guilt
Sir Mark Thatcher, son of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, has successfully plea-bargained for a non-custodial sentence in a South African court.
He was charged under South Africa's anti-mercenary legislation for his part in an alleged plot to overthrow the government of oil-rich Equatorial Guinea.
Sir Mark received a £265,000 fine and a four-year suspended prison term.
Sir Mark, who was charged under South African anti-mercenary legislation, claims that while he provided finance for a helicopter he did not realise it was to be used as a mercenary transport.
Upon leaving the court Sir Mark said: "There is no price too high for me to pay to be reunited with my family and I am sure all of you who are husbands and fathers would agree with that."
Sir Mark is expected to leave South Africa within days.
As Sir Mark walks free reports have emerged that his close friend Simon Mann, a former SAS officer currently serving a prison sentence in Zimbabwe for his part in the plot, has had his seven-year term reduced to four years.
(GB)
He was charged under South Africa's anti-mercenary legislation for his part in an alleged plot to overthrow the government of oil-rich Equatorial Guinea.
Sir Mark received a £265,000 fine and a four-year suspended prison term.
Sir Mark, who was charged under South African anti-mercenary legislation, claims that while he provided finance for a helicopter he did not realise it was to be used as a mercenary transport.
Upon leaving the court Sir Mark said: "There is no price too high for me to pay to be reunited with my family and I am sure all of you who are husbands and fathers would agree with that."
Sir Mark is expected to leave South Africa within days.
As Sir Mark walks free reports have emerged that his close friend Simon Mann, a former SAS officer currently serving a prison sentence in Zimbabwe for his part in the plot, has had his seven-year term reduced to four years.
(GB)
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Former UK Prime Minister Baroness Margaret Thatcher has died following a stroke at the age of 87. Her spokesman, Lord Bell, said in a statement: "It is with great sadness that Mark and Carol Thatcher announced that their mother Baroness Thatcher died peacefully following a stroke this morning. "A further statement will be made later.
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