Accused nurse suffering depression

Deborah Parry, one of the British nurse accused of the murder of an Australian colleague in Saudi Arabia, has been taken to hospital suffering from depression.

relatives said yesterday that Parry, 39, from Alton, Hampshire, was transferred to the hospital in Damman prison on Tuesday in a move which her family think will "enable her to get stronger".

Parry has been in jail for the past 13 months and there have been growing concerns about her ability to cope.

Her brother-in-law Jonathan Ashbee, said: "She has been hospitalised for assessment and counselling and we are pleased that action has been taken by the Saudis. The doctor found he couldn't provide her with what she was looking for and felt she needed more assistance."

Parry and Lucille McLauchlan were arrested after the murder of 55-year- old Yvonne Gilford.

After a lengthy trial judges decided that McLauchlan was guilty of playing a part in the murder of Miss Gilford at the King Fahd Military Medical Complex where all three women worked.

In September she was sentenced to eight years in prison and 500 lashes. Parry has not yet been sentenced. the threat of a possible death sentence was lifted after Miss Gilford's family agreed to waive their right to demand it.