Drug case air hostess 'must wait for freedom'

A British air hostess cleared of drugs offences in Dubai could still have weeks to wait before she can return home, it was disclosed today.

Katherine Jenkins, 31, from Neath, south Wales, was cleared of charges accusing her of being in a gang which smuggled drugs into the United Arab Emirates.

She has already been waiting a week to go home since her acquittal and will not be allowed to return until the outcome of a prosecution appeal against the court’s decision.

Stephen Jakobi, director of Fair Trials Abroad, said: ‘‘She told me that the prosecution’s appeal against her acquittal was going to be heard next Sunday.

‘‘While it appears to be a formality it will delay her homecoming by weeks.

‘‘She was a bit disappointed. One does not go through these procedures without a bit of apprehension.’’

Miss Jenkins, who is currently staying in a hotel in Dubai, spent 17 months in custody before her trial.