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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Anna Savva & Sarah Vesty & Sara Odeen-Isbister

Fears for heavily pregnant British mum jailed in Tenerife over unpaid fines

There are fears for a pregnant British mum, due to give birth in eight weeks, after she was jailed in Tenerife over two unpaid fines.

Jamielee Fielding had just arrived on the Spanish island for a family holiday on August 19 when she was arrested at the airport for not paying two fines totaling 420 Euros on a previous visit in September last year.

Ms Fielding, from West Lothian, Scotland, was deemed a fugitive, taken to a prison, and later sentenced to four months in jail, which she is now serving.

Her local MP, Hannah Bardell of the SNP, is calling on the UK government to help get her constituent released so she can return home and give birth safely, reports the Scottish Daily Express.

There are also fears over her current health as she is apparently without vital medication needed to treat her gestational diabetes.

Ms Fielding was about to enjoy a family holiday on Tenerife when she was arrested (Getty Images/Collection Mix: Subjects RF)

Speaking in the House of Commons, Ms Bardell said: "Can we have a debate on the treatment of British citizens in Spanish prisons? My Livingston constituent Jamielee Fielding is nearly seven months pregnant and has gestational diabetes, but despite having paid the fine, the Spanish authorities in Tenerife are holding her, removing vital food and medication, and breaching her human rights.

"She has a very short window to get home to have her baby. Would the Leader of the House press the Foreign Secretary to help get Jamielee home, and to meet me so that I can do everything I can to make sure that she is safe, healthy, and home as soon as possible?"

Ms Fielding, who was due to holiday with her father and brother, claims her intention was to pay the fine upon arrival at the nearest police station unaware of the consequences that would follow. She was arrested and transferred from the airport to Prison in Santa Cruz - De Tenerife el Rosario, North Tenerife.

Ms Fielding's father was not informed by the Spanish authorities that his daughter was taken to prison, nor was he informed where the prison was located. The British Embassy was also not notified of her arrest.

Ms Fielding is due to give birth in eight weeks (Daily Record)

It has been claimed Ms Fielding was required to wear a sign around her neck that states "I do not speak Spanish" and reportedly had her dietary requirements and vital medication taken off her.

On Wednesday, Ms Fielding's request to be transferred to an open prison was accepted. Ms Fielding has stated that she was let out of the prison with three male prisoners and told to find her own way by taxi to the open prison.

Her father was also advised by the Consular Service that in order for her to complete her sentence in the community, he must ensure a fixed address and support is organised ahead of her release date on December 16.

Ms Bardell said: "Jamielee is seven months pregnant, and we have grave concerns that the health consequences, stress, and poor treatment she has received while in prison could have a harmful effect on this vulnerable young woman and her unborn baby's development.

"Jamielee is due to give birth in eight weeks time and it is imperative that she is released immediately from this disproportionate sentence and brought back to Scotland to be with her family.

"The way Jamielee has been treated in Spain has been disgusting. This should not be tolerated and an investigation by the Foreign Office must look into the way British Citizens are treated in Spain.

"Whilst my constituent is under the care of the Spanish Authorities she must be treated with dignity, care, and respect under the European Union's Charter of Fundamental Rights."

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