Drug charge woman 'impregnated herself'

A British woman facing trial in Laos for alleged heroin trafficking secretly impregnated herself with the sperm of another prisoner in a bid to escape the death sentence, a government-run newspaper said today.

Samantha Orobator's case at first drew international attention over concerns that she could be executed by firing squad if found guilty. But under criminal law in Laos, a pregnant woman cannot receive the death penalty.

The British Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand, said it had been notified by Lao authorities that her trial would begin tomorrow.

The Vientiane Times quoted police as saying that the woman told authorities she secretly obtained sperm from a fellow prisoner to impregnate herself to avoid the death penalty.

The newspaper did not name the sources or give other details.

This article is from The Belfast Telegraph