Former Royal aide in suspected overdose

Jane Andrews, the former dresser of the Duchess of York who was jailed for the murder of her lover, was in a critical condition last night after a suspected overdose.

Andrews, 36, was taken to hospital after she was found unconscious in her cell at Bullwood Hall prison in Hockley, Essex, yesterday morning.

Andrews, who lost an appeal against her life sentence last month, remained in intensive care last night without having regained consciousness.

Doctors were examining the possibility she may have taken an overdose after possibly stockpiling a quantity of her daily medication, which included anti-depressants and sleeping tablets.

Andrews was jailed for life two years ago after being found guilty of murdering Thomas Cressman, 39, in their home in Fulham, west London.

Last month, her lawyers sought permission to bring new evidence to the court of appeal claiming to show she was suffering from borderline personality disorder due to sexual abuse as a child.

However, Lord Justice Kennedy rejected those grounds for appeal and declined their application to receive the new evidence.

As a result, Andrews reportedly become increasingly depressed in the aftermath of the hearing, according to Julie Bindel, of the support group Women For Justice.