A WELSH mother of two facing drug trafficking charges in Malaysia no longer faces the prospect of death by hanging if found guilty, it is understood.
Shivaun Orton, 41, of Harlech in North Wales and her husband, Abdul Harris Fadilah, have been held in a Malaysian prison on remand since they were arrested shortly before Christmas.
Police raided the beach resort the couple ran in the northern state of Terngganu and reportedly seized drugs worth an estimated £16,000.
Shivaun pleaded not guilty to eight charges of drug trafficking and possessing cannabis, amphetamine and heroin at a hearing in January.
Under Malaysian law, possessing more than 15g of heroin carries the death penalty.
She was due to make a court appearance today but this evening, a member of Shivaun’s family who have begun a Facebook campaign in support of her posted this message: “Shivaun and Harris did not go to court today as a chemical report showed that there was less than 15g of heroin so the lawyer had the trafficking charged dropped- this means they no longer face the death penalty - they will still face the other charges at a court appearance in May.”
Shivaun Orton is said to be in good health and seeing her sons Jacob, 16, and Isaac, 14, on a regular basis.
Her brother Daniel said the family have been in contact with the Foreign Office. He said: “The Foreign Office have said Shivaun is in good spirits.”
Her family say she is a victim of a controlling marriage.
Thursday 31 March 2011
Welsh mum 'in good spirits' as drug trafficking charge is dropped - Wales News - News - WalesOnline
