Briton jailed for adultery to fly home with new family - News - Evening Standard
       

Briton jailed for adultery to fly home with new family

A British man who faced a seven-year prison sentence in the Philippines for adultery is being allowed to return to the UK with his girlfriend and baby this week.

David Scott, 37, has had his application for partner Cynthia Delfino to accompany him granted by the Home Office on humanitarian grounds.

The couple's daughter Janina has been given British citizenship following her parents' ordeal, which began when they were arrested and flung into a squalid cell in Manila when Cynthia was eight months pregnant.

David Scott with Cynthia Delfino and their baby Janina

David Scott with Cynthia Delfino and their baby Janina

They were charged with adultery, which is illegal in the strictly Catholic Philippines, despite Cynthia having separated from her husband.

After four days the couple were bailed and they fled to live in a jungle and derelict houses before Janina, now seven months old, was born in a tiny clinic.

David, from Swindon, Wiltshire - who met Cynthia on the internet in 2006 - paid £12,000 in legal fees and bribes to get them to Thailand.

After the long and emotional journey, they picked up Cynthia's visa from the British embassy in Bangkok last week.

David said: 'It's been a long fight having to pay bribes everywhere I go. But every time I look at my daughter I just know it was worth everything.'

Cynthia said: 'I am so relieved. I am a little scared about going to Britain, but everybody is so kind.'

Comments

Don't Miss
Dog save the Queen: Corgis surge in popularity

Dog save the Queen

Corgis surge in popularity
London gets ready for the Diamond Jubilee - in pictures

Diamond Jubilee

London gets ready - in pictures
'He’s a better ex than he was a husband', says Boris Johnson's ex wife

A better ex than husband

We talk to Boris Johnson's ex wife
TV Baftas - in pictures

Best of the Baftas

Stars on the red, white and blue carpet
You big softie: Has Giles Coren put down his poison pen?

You big softie

Has Giles Coren put down his poison pen?
Pop star Paloma Faith, former Labour minister and Tory blogger back gay marriage video

Gay marriage

Pop star, former Labour minister and Tory blogger back gay marriage video
Promethipedia: the lowdown on Ridley Scott's new blockbuster Prometheus

Promethipedia

The lowdown on Ridley Scott's new blockbuster Prometheus
Prints charming: patterned trousers for summer

Prints charming

Patterned trousers for summer
Bob Geldof on grandchildren, activism and the state of music

Grandpa Bob

Bob Geldof on grandchildren, activism and the state of music
The Middletan: Kate Middleton has the most requested tan in London

The Middletan

Kate Middleton has the most requested tan in London