Guilty plea by 'Peru two' not accepted

Peruvian prosecutors are objecting to the guilty pleas of two women caught trying to smuggle 24lb of cocaine to Spain.

Prosecutor Juan Rosas said that he will ask for a new hearing to give Michaella McCollum, from Dungannon, Co Tyrone and Melissa Reid of Glasgow the chance to offer a more complete confession.

The women pleaded guilty yesterday to drug trafficking charges. If it is accepted, they face six years and eight months in prison without possibility of parole.

Mr Rosas said today they need to explain why they initially claimed they were coerced by a gang of armed men.

He disputed a statement issued by the court where the women entered their plea that said they had provided information on their co-conspirators.