Shattering blow for British tourist held in Egyptian jail on drug smuggling charges as judge rules she MUST stand trial and still faces potential death penalty

A British woman jailed on drugs charges in Egypt was dealt a shattering blow today after being told she will go on trial.

Laura Plummer could be held in jail for a further three months until a judge has heard all the evidence in her case.

He can then rule to set her free or jail her for up to seven years.

If convicted of drug smuggling he could impose the death penalty.

The latest development has devastated her family who fear for her safety.

Her mother Roberta told Mail Online: 'She will not last another 15 days in jail.'

The family of the 33 year old had been expecting to hear good news today with the likelihood of her being granted bail.

But her court hearing in the resort of Hurghada was postponed and they were told it would take place on Sunday morning.

Later her lawyer Mohammed Osman was told that the due to the seriousness of the charges the case would no longer be heard in a regional court in the Red Sea resort.

No date has been set for her appearance but legal expert said it could be weeks or months before she gets a chance to give evidence.

It is not unheard of in Egypt that people awaiting trial can be held for years before they appear in court.

As Laura is a foreign national and the case attracted the attention of the media it is likely to be fast tracked.

Until that time she stays locked up in a 'hell hole ' Egyptian jail.

'The legal system works very slowly and Laura will not be given bail because she is on a drug smuggling charge,' said a legal source.

The criminal hearing will take place in the town of Safaga, about 50 miles from Hurghada where she has been held in a detention centre for a month.

Her lawyer Mohammed Osman described the development as 'very worrying.'

The news will come a shattering blow to her family who flew out to Egypt to support her for a planned court hearing on Thursday.

Her sister Jayne and brother Kirk had to fly home leaving their mother Roberta as the sole family member in Egypt.

A family source told Mail Online: 'We are devastated and can't believe what has happened. Laura will not last 15 more days in jail.'

The shopworker from Hull was arrested on October 9th when she flew into Hurghada to meet her husband Omar Caboo.

Customs officers found 300 Tramadol painkillers in her luggage as she tried to leave the airport.

The drugs are banned in Egypt and prescription only in the UK.

Police believed she was an international drug smuggler as she could not name her husband's full name or where he lived when quizzed.

A switch to a criminal court means the prosecutor has convinced the judge that the case is so serious it merits being heard in a higher court.

Her husband Omar, 34, will be called to given evidence and police will also say why they believed Laura is a drug smuggler.

After a month in hiding Caboo came forward to deliver crucial evidence that supports his wife's story she was bringing the pills to help ease his back pain.

He has produced X-rays to show he suffers from chronic back pain following a car accident.

Due to the slow process of the Egyptian legal system it could be a month or more before Laura is called to explain herself before a judge.

Until that time she will be held in jail as being a foreign national she is considered a flight risk.

Until the stunning new development Laura was said by her mother to be in 'good spirits' and confident of being set free on bail.

A day of confusion at the Hurghada court saw her hearing postponed until Sunday and later her lawyer was told the case was transferred out of Hurghada.

Ms Plummer, of Hull, east Yorkshire, claims she was bringing the 290 Tramadol painkillers - which are banned in Egypt - into the country for her 'husband' Omar Caboo, who suffers from chronic back pain.

New evidence submitted by Mr Caboo claim to prove his medical condition and need for the pills. It is hoped that this evidence will be enough for an Egyptian court to grant Ms Plummer her freedom.

The documents include X-rays, medical records and a marriage certificate - crucial evidence because authorities believed her to be a smuggle with a made-up spouse.

The shop girl, 33, has been locked up for a month after being arrested at Hurghada International Airport when she was stopped by customs officers and found with almost 300 of the powerful pain killers.

Egyptian Caboo, a hotel activities organiser, had requested them to relieve his back pain.

Tramadol is on a list of banned drugs in Egypt as it is widely used by junkies as a heroin substitute because it is so powerful.

Ms Plummer's worried relatives saw her as jail bosses mocked her complaints about the 'hellhole' conditions, telling her: 'You're not staying in the Sheraton!'

She has endured an ordeal of sharing a 15ft x 15ft cell with 25 other women in sweltering heat and no air conditioning.

This afternoon her mother Roberta, sister Jayne Sinclair and brother Kirk were pictured went to the prison for an hour long visit.

Staff at the prison on the outskirts of the city of Hurgharda showed little sympathy for what the Egyptian media have called the 'Tramadol Tourist'.

Meanwhile, Ms Plummer was able to speak briefly to her mother Roberta today.

As she waited in the entrance hall of the chaotic Red Sea court her lawyer handed her a mobile phone and told her Ms Plummer wanted to speak with her.

The mother's face lit up and she hurried off into a corner to speak with her daughter.

Roberta later told MailOnline: 'She is much better today. Her spirits are good'.

Roberta then booked herself a flight home on Sunday in the hope her daughter might be granted bail in her court appearance.

She was due to fly back to the UK on Saturday night, but on the advice of her daughter's lawyer cancelled the flight to remain in Egypt.

Ms Plummer had been expected to appear at the court with her lawyer Mohamed Osman presenting evidence that she was not a drug smuggler.

Her husband Mr Caboo, who fled Hurghada after she was arrested on October 9th, came out of hiding to hand over medical evidence to prove he suffered chronic back pain.

Another of her lawyers Tasha Shokry told MailOnline they had presented the medical evidence to the prosecutor in the hope he will not object to a bail application.

Osman said he had explained to Ms Plummer she might have to spend a further 15 days in jail while the judge decided what to do.

He said: 'I have explained to Ms Plummer the procedure. She is still under criminal investigation and until that has been completed she faces staying in jail.

'The judge can extend her to stay for another 15 days or he can make it 30 days. The maximum she can be held is three months or it has to go to trial.'

Police at the court had been preparing for Ms Plummer's arrival today with a dozen gun toting men standing guard at the rear entrance where prisoners in shackles are brought.

But after two hours when it became apparent Ms Plummer was not being driven the five miles from the police detention centre to the court they were stood down.

Osman said Ms Plummer could still be brought to the court on Sunday but there was no certainty the judge would request her presence.

Her family are pinning their hopes on the shop worker from Hull being granted bail.

Her Mum Roberta, sister Jayne and brother Kirk flew to Egypt in the hope of seeing her released.

Her case was postponed on Thursday and Kirk and Jayne flew back to the U.K. on Friday night.

Her mum is due to fly home tonight but made a last minute dash to the prison to take her food and say an emotional farewell.

Her lawyer Mohamed Osman has warned that she could still be locked up for seven years even if she is cleared of any crime.

And she faces the death penalty if court rules that she was trying to sell the drugs.

A legal source said she was being treated as an 'international drug smuggler.'

Source: Mail Online, November 11, 2017

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