British missionaries sentenced to hard labour

Two British missionaries were sentenced to one year in prison with hard labour today after pleading guilty to sedition charges in a Gambian court, a Foreign Office spokesman said.

David and Fiona Fulton were arrested last month in the West African country after allegedly sending a letter to individuals and groups criticising Gambia's government.

The pair pleaded guilty last Wednesday and were sentenced today and also fined £6,250 each.

A spokesman for the Foreign Office said: "We are seeking clarity as to what hard labour means in this context. It is a decision for the Fultons with their legal representative as to whether they appeal this judgement or not.

"Mr and Mrs Fulton have not raised any concerns over their welfare with us. Consular staff in the Gambia will continue to visit Mr and Mrs Fulton whilst they are being detained.

"If Mr or Mrs Fulton raise concerns over their treatment, we can take these up with the relevant authorities."

Mr Fulton, 60, a former British Army major originally from Troon, Scotland, and Mrs Fulton, 46, originally from Torquay, Devon, were arrested on 29 November.

The pair were held separately following their arrests and were not granted bail.

Mr Fulton was detained at high-security Mile Two prison outside the capital Banjul. It is described as a "tough" former colonial jail built during the days of the British Empire.

Mrs Fulton was held with their two-year-old adopted daughter Elizabeth at a police station in the capital.

A spokesman for the Foreign Office said consular staff in Gambia checked the welfare of the Fultons' daughter.

He said: "At no point was she under arrest. She was being kept with Mrs Fulton at Mrs Fulton's request. Mrs Fulton made alternative arrangements for her and she is being cared for by a family friend in the family home.

"It will be a decision for the Fultons to make about who should now care for their children. We will help to ensure they have the information they need to make this decision."

Mr Fulton worked as a chaplain in the Gambian army and his wife looked after terminally ill people and visited women in their homes and in hospital.

The pair were arrested at their home in Kerr Sering, an hour's drive from Banjul in the African bush.

While the country is constitutionally secular, the population is 90 per cent Muslim.

Gambia is a former British colony and has been ruled by the same regime after Yahya Jammeh claimed presidency following a military coup in 1994.

The president's record on human rights and civil freedoms has been questioned after a crackdown on government critics.