Free my son, pleads jail Briton’s mother

The mother of a British backpacker jailed in India for drug smuggling has delivered a letter to the Foreign Secretary urging the Government to push for his delayed appeal.

Patrick Malluzzo, from Dartford, was jailed for 10 years in 2004. The 32-year-old former City worker was arrested after cannabis was found in a bag he had given to a friend to look after.

His supporters, including Tory MP Ann Widdecombe, have insisted he is innocent and said he was refused an interpreter throughout his trial.

An appeal hearing due to take place in a court in Rajasthan has been postponed several times since being adjourned at the beginning of October. The next hearing is due on Tuesday.

Ms Widdecombe has already written to the Chief Justice of Rajasthan asking for the appeal to be made "an absolute priority".

Mr Malluzzo's parents have said his health has deteriorated in jail.

In her letter to David Miliband, the jailed Briton's mother Teresa said: "All I ask is for you to spare a few moments and speak to your equal in the Indian government to pass on concerns about my son. I think it would make a big difference if you show that the British Government cares about Patrick by doing this."

The family remortgaged their home to pay legal bills and the case has been taken up by Fair Trials International.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We have raised the delay of the appeal with the Indian authorities on several occasions but no response has been received. We continue to raise Patrick's case with the appropriate Indian authorities."