BORN INTO BATTLE; Baby for couple facing extradition.Byline: SIMON WALTON A TEESSIDE man has become a dad again - just days before a court could rule he is to be extradited to face a possible 98-year jail sentence in the US. Brian Howes, 45, from Middlesbrough, and his wife, Kerry, 31, had a baby girl, called Cassidy, on Tuesday morning. But the new arrival faces a very uncertain future, as both her mum and dad could shortly find themselves in a tough Arizona jail awaiting trial. The couple are wanted by the US Drug Enforcement Administration The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) was established in 1973 by President richard m. nixon as part of the Justice Department, thus uniting a number of federal drug agencies that had often worked at cross-purposes. (DEA) as part of an investigation into the alleged production of crystal meth meth n. Methamphetamine hydrochloride. . The family, who now live in Bo'ness, West Lothian, could face 82 charges of supplying chemicals over the internet to people believed to be involved in producing the drug in the US. The chemicals - red phosphorous phos·pho·rous adj. Of, relating to, or containing phosphorus, especially with a valence of 3 or a valence lower than that of a comparable phosphoric compound. and iodine - are understood to be legal in Britain but are regulated in the US. The couple deny knowing what the chemicals were being used for and are fighting their extradition. Brian, who formerly ran a fruit machine sales firm in Middlesbrough, has already spent 214 days in custody on remand in relation to the allegations. He was eventually granted bail after going on a 30-day hunger strike - which he says left him with minor brain damage. The couple argue they are the victims of the post-September 11 Extradition Act which allows UK citizens to be extradited to the US for trial without first establishing prima facie evidence prima facie evidence n. Law Evidence that would, if uncontested, establish a fact or raise a presumption of a fact. against them. . Brian says an early day motion is due to be presented to Parliament by the Liberal Democrats claiming that the act is being used to extradite ex·tra·dite v. ex·tra·dit·ed, ex·tra·dit·ing, ex·tra·dites v.tr. 1. To give up or deliver (a fugitive, for example) to the legal jurisdiction of another government or authority. 2. British nationals for activities which are not a crime in the UK. It is reported they have won the support of Cardinal Keith O'Brien, the Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh, who has written to the Scottish Justice Minister Kenny MacAskill calling for the trial to be held in Scotland. Brian, who has four other children with Kerry, said: "The Archbishop has written to the justice minister asking them not to extradite us. It's not humane to send us to America to wait up to three years for trial while our children get, not put into care, but adopted. How can you deprive five young children of their mum and dad just to appease the American will?" The couple were arrested in January 2007 following an operation spanning several countries and involving Cleveland Police. Brian will next appear before the Scottish High Court on May 26 when he will continue his appeal against extradition. Kerry, whose case has been separated from her husband's, will appear before the court on June 23.. CAPTION(S): UNCERTAIN: Brian Howes and wife Kerry, pictured with new baby, Cassidy, left, are facing extradition, as reported previously, far left |
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