We Clitheroe
vertiser an imes
Thai ordeal to end for Chris
Exclusive by Faiza Afzaal
THE nightmare ordeal for Thai prisoner Christopher Egan is almost over. He will finally be repatriated to
the UK next month. Former Queen Eliza
beth Grammar School pupil and university grad uate Christopher (35), pic tured, who was jailed for drugs offences in Thailand 18 months ago, has been told that he will be trans ferred to Wandsworth Prison, London, some time during the week commenc ing Monday, September 12th. After numerous medical
examinations, the former English teacher will then be sent to complete his remaining sentence in a low-category Lancashire jail. The family has been
warned that due to prison overcrowding, especially in the North West, he may have to stay in the high- security Wandsworth
Prison for some time. On hearing the unexpected news, his relieved parents, Mr and Mrs Tony and Joan Egan, of King Street, Whalley, told of their delight and expressed their gratitude to the Foreign Office, British Embassy and most importantly, to all the well-wishers that have written to Christo pher and supported the family during what has been a nightmare time. Speaking exclusively to
the Clitheroe Advertiser and Times of their happi ness and relief, they said: "We feel elated. At long last, our son will be in England, serving his remaining prison sentence in better conditions and at a place where we can visit him frequently. "We always knew he was
eligible to apply for repa triation, but didn't expect him to be repatriated as soon as this. We are extremely pleased." The past 18 months
have been sheer hell for Christopher and his fami ly. Christopher was arrest ed in the city of Chiang
Mai on suspicion of nar cotics offences on Febru ary 24th last year. He had initially been sentenced to 16 years in an overcrowded Thai jail after allegedly being caught with eight amphetamine tablets in his luggage and marked notes. Although Christopher
pleaded guilty to the charge to save having to spend a lengthy sentence in a cell, until this day, he strenuously denies the alle gation with the full sup port of his family. It is believed the drugs
may have been planted by police informers, who prof it from the arrest of West erners. ’ In April this year, Mr
and Mrs Egan launched a massive campaign with the backing of Ribble Val ley MP Nigel Evans, urg ing the Foreign Office to step up pressure on the King of Thailand, His Royal Majesty Bhumibol Adulyadej, to give their son a Royal Pardon.
Megan’s national quest by Natalie Cox
A VALLEY teenager is hoping to become the nation’s favourite beauty. Megan Thompson (pic
tured), the first ever win ner of the Miss Royal Lancashire title, has reached the finals of this year’s Miss England com petition. In early September she
will be among 35 finalists competing at the Liver pool Olympia for the cov eted Miss England title and a possible place in this year’s Miss World competition. The overall winner will
receive a prize package worth £10,000, which will include an all-expenses paid trip to China for the international contest, and a holiday in five-star lux ury in Cyprus. Flying the flag for the
red rose county will be former CRGS Sixth Form pupil Megan, of Dinckley. As well as awaiting the
results of her recent A- Level exams - which are due out today - Megan (19) is looking forward to playing her part in the countrywide contest. This year will be the
first time Lancashire has ever been represented in the national contest. Explained Megan: “Miss Royal Lancashire was a
wm
new competition and now through that I have been able to enter the Miss England competition as Miss Lancashire. This will be the first time any one has entered the com petition to represent this area.” Anyone wanting to register their support can text the words “VOTE LANCASHIRE” to 81444 - the winner of the public text vote will be fast tracked to the final 12.
A keen actress, Megan
eventually hopes to make her living in the profes sion. She has already achieved the highest lev els in acting exams, earn ing a gold from London Academy of Music and
-Dramatic Art and a Grade Eight in acting from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, as well as a Grade Six in speech and drama. Later this year she will be tak ing up a place at Liver pool’s John Moores Uni versity to study drama.
20 King Street, CLITHEROE
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