IN QATAR JAIL PLEADS FOR RELEASE

THE mother of a teenage Scot banged up in a Qatar jail has made an impassioned appeal for him to be released claiming he was under threat from a criminal gang.

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Nicola Neil, whose 18-year-old son Lino is accused of trafficking cannabis, is seeking the support of the UK Government in persuading Qatari authorities to free him.

The Daily Record revealed last week that the youngster was intercepted at Doha Airport as he made his way back to Scotland from Thailand. He claims he was forced to carry a drugs package by violent criminals amid a huge wave of exploitation of teenage drug mules by international smuggling gangs.

Lino flew out to celebrate his birthday with girlfriend Abbi McMeechan just days after turning 18 on November 1.

Nicola, 49, has now revealed new evidence that, she believes, proves he was under the control of organised criminals both before and after he travelled to Thailand last year.

She said: "I can't say for sure what happened over there but I know Lino was being put under pressure to do something he didn't want to do. Anyone who investigates the case properly would be able to see that."

Nicola has begged for clemency for her son from the Doha court that will hear his case later this month.