Brit OAP 'drugs mule' faces Xmas in prison

THE British pensioner held in a notorious jail on suspicion of smuggling Class A drugs has had his hopes of spending Christmas outside dashed.

- BY CHRISTOPHER BUCKTIN US Editor and GERARD COUZENS

William “Billy Boy” Eastment, 79, had been granted permission to swap Chile's Santiago 1 Penitentiary for house arrest.

But an appeals court overturned the decision despite medics warning of severe risks to his health after two bouts of pneumonia.

Defence submissions obtained by the Daily Mirror insist the bowls and fishing fan, of Milborne Port, Somerset, faces “real and imminent” danger to his life while in custody.

Eastment has also been told prosecutors want to extend the 120-day investigation period granted to them, prolonging the time he must remain behind bars. A hearing on the request is understood to have taken place, with a ruling expected imminently.