Marianne went on holiday in early February to the Dominican Republic with her boyfriend of 10 months, Richard Flack. He had met Marianne in March 2003 and within a couple of months they were going out with each other on a regular basis.  After one month, he had admitted to her that he was a “recovering” heroin addict.  To help this recovery he had an implant that would have the effect of weaning him off the drug.  They started to live together in October 2003 and moved to a house in Ardleigh near Colchester. The relationship, like all in truth, had its ups and downs; however, Richard did, as the effect of the implant wore off, have a relapse and needed a new course of treatment and a new implant.  During this period, Richard, a groundworker and landscape gardener, found it harder and harder to work on a regular basis. This imposed some strains on the relationship. However, Marianne stuck with him and tried to help him through this difficult period.

In January 2004, Richard attempted to make amends by organising a holiday to the Dominican Republic – a two-week all inclusive deal.  To Marianne this was a make-or-break effort.  She had not had a decent holiday for some years and saw this as a good opportunity to have a well-deserved break and perhaps mend the relationship.

It seemed to be an idyllic holiday in Puerto Plata on the north coast of the Dominican Republic – good weather, relaxation, good beaches – everything Marianne had looked forward to.  They didn’t live in each other’s pockets.  Marianne stayed in some evenings when Richard went out to local bars and clubs; during the day, she often preferred to stay by the pool and read whilst Richard explored the local area.

Then disaster struck.  On the day of departure Marianne had left Richard in the hotel room whilst she did some last-minute shopping in the local Plaza.  On her return she discovered that Richard was unwell and needed a drink.  She went out to get some water, but, on her return, found that Richard’s condition had deteriorated to the point where he was convulsing.  She dealt with this first convulsion and his condition appeared to improve.  This was short-lived.  He had more serious convulsions – it was during one of these that he told her the reason for them – he had been swallowing packets of cocaine – presumably to smuggle back to the UK.  Clearly this had gone totally wrong and the bags were splitting inside him.  Marianne called for medical help and both she and the doctor advised that he go to hospital.  He refused but died agonisingly soon after.  Marianne had attempted mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and heart massage in a vain attempt to revive him.  She was able to spend about 10 minutes with Richard’s body alone in the room to begin the grieving process.

The police became involved at this point and this marks the time when Marianne was taken into custody where she has been ever since.  At first it seemed as though formalities were being addressed.  However, things worsened a day later when the police, along with Marianne, the tour rep. and the British Consulate returned to the hotel room which had, by then, been cleared and cleaned for the next guests only for the police to find in a search of the room a further amount of cocaine hidden under the bed.  Needless to say this was a complete surprise to Marianne.  From this point on the police suspected that she had been involved in a criminal action.

Days of questioning followed.  She was taken on a 4 hour journey to the capital, Santa Domingo, where the HQ of the Drugs Squad is, and questioned by them.  After three days, they announced to Marianne’s lawyer, her mother and the British Consulate that she was to be released – they felt that Marianne had no case to answer.  Overnight the delight turned to disbelief because, by the next morning, she was being transferred back to the resort where it had all happened – Puerto Plata .  The reasons for this change of policy remain shrouded in mystery.  Marianne was heartbroken.

After 8 more night in a “holding cell” in the police station Marianne appeared in court and was sent to the local prison, Fortaleza San Felipe, where she has been held since.

Her mother, Sheila Telfer has been in the Dominican Republic to help her – she was there within 48 hours of the death of Richard and has remained there to see Marianne and organise her legal representation.

The British Consulate and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK have all been aware of the case and given appropriate assistance over the whole duration of the case.