The Brit, 34, from Hull, was freed by presidential pardon after being jailed for carrying Tramadol painkillers in her luggage
LAURA Plummer has revealed her heartache at being forced to leave her Egyptian husband behind after being freed from her prison nightmare.
The family of the Brit, 34, who was jailed for carrying 290 Tramadol painkillers in her luggage, said that her lover Omar is "devastated" that she is being deported back to the UK.
She claimed the prescription drugs, which are illegal in Egypt, were for her husband, 34, who suffers from chronic back pain.
Despite being banged up in Cairo’s notorious Al Qanater prison for 14 months, Laura says she doesn’t want to be deported – after being freed following her presidential pardon.
After thanking The Sun for its relentless campaign to free her, she said: “I’m so happy to be going home. I mean, who goes on holiday for two weeks and then stays 14 months?”
“I just wish I wasn’t being deported. But I promise you — I’ll never set foot in an airport again.”
Laura’s family revealed her release is “bittersweet” as she will only be able to spend a few moments with her Egyptian husband before being deported.
Her sister Jayne Synclair, 41, said: “Obviously we’re delighted. We’ve been told she’s got to be deported but she won’t be banned from returning to Egypt.
I just wish I wasn’t being deported. But I promise you — I’ll never set foot in an airport again
“It’s bittersweet for Laura. She loves Omar and will get to spend only a few moments with him before she’s put on a plane.
“He’s really upset. Despite everything people have said they love each other and their love has survived this awful ordeal.”
Mum Roberta said: “We just want this to end. We’re excited to get Laura home but devastated for Omar who has supported her throughout and visited her.
“For me, as her mum, it’ll just be nice to bring her home.”
Laura was arrested moments after she flew into Hurghada on 9 October 2017.
Customs officers found the 290 Tramadol pills sitting at the top of her case.
They were not hidden or in any way concealed. Laura said she had been given the pills by a workmate.
But prosecutors refused to believe her.
The Sun campaigned for Laura — flying in a dossier of supporting evidence that included identity documents for Omar, the couple’s marriage certificate and his medical records and X-rays.
The Egyptian authorities dropped smuggling charges but still prosecuted Laura for possession. She was jailed on Boxing Day 2017.
As the verdict was announced she collapsed in the dock and sobbed: “I can’t do three years here.”
The Sun continued to push for her freedom and, at an appeal, evidence was submitted which showed she could not have known the Tramadol tablets were illegal.
The Foreign Office admitted its travel advisory was not updated until after her arrest and the tour operator she booked through said it had issued no warnings. Laura still lost her appeal.
On lawyers’ advice she dropped plans for a further appeal and began the process of applying for a presidential pardon.
The prison is understood to have backed her release.
The Sun has saved my life. I don’t know what I would have done without your help
Laura, speaking from the police station, wept as she said: “The Sun has saved my life.
"I don’t know what I would have done without your help. I dread to think what would have happened."
Freed Laura yesterday told of her 14 months of hell in an Egyptian jail — saying: “My two-week holiday in the sun turned into a nightmare.”
Laura, who had no idea that Tramadol is illegal in Egypt, said: “I tried to explain myself but nothing I said or did made any difference.
“It was just ridiculous. I wanted to help Omar and do a kind thing and I ended up in prison.
“At one stage I thought, ‘I must be dead and this is hell’.”
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