US president's niece jailed

Florida Governor Jeb Bush’s only daughter was led away in handcuffs today after a judge jailed her for 10 days for violating the terms of her drug treatment programme.

Before she was sentenced, the president’s niece apologised to Judge Reginald Whitehead.

“I sincerely apologise for what happened and promise to do well at the Centre for Drug-Free Living,” she said, referring to the treatment centre where she has been staying.

Whitehead told Noelle Bush he was sending her to jail because he was aware of allegations that she was found with crack cocaine in her shoe while at the treatment centre.

He told the 25-year-old he was disappointed in her, but he added that he believed she could complete drug treatment successfully and was allowing her to stay in the programme.

“I want you to have some time to think and reflect on this,” Whitehead said. “You should be disappointed that you let yourself down.”

The judge added that she hoped Bush learned a lesson.

“You have to learn from your mistake,” he said. “This is a great opportunity for yourself to see if you can do well.”

Bush was placed in the drug court system after she was accused of trying to use a fake prescription to buy the anti-anxiety drug Xanax in Tallahassee, Florida, in January.

The president’s niece has been undergoing treatment at the treatment centre since February as an alternative to going through the traditional criminal justice system.

She was sent to jail for two days in July after centre workers found her with unauthorised prescription pills.

Last month, a caller told Orlando police that Bush had a rock of crack cocaine in a shoe, but another judge later ruled that workers at the centre cannot be forced to testify about Bush’s case.

In interviews this week, the Florida governor said his daughter’s battle with drugs has strained his family but he accepted the judge’s decision. The governor was not at today’s hearing.