This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/jun/12/eleanor-hawkins-father-relieved-malaysia-tourist

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Eleanor Hawkins' father relieved after Malaysian court frees tourist Eleanor Hawkins' father relieved after Malaysian court frees tourist
(about 1 hour later)
The father of Eleanor Hawkins, the British tourist who was detained for stripping off on Malaysia’s highest peak, has spoken of his relief after she was freed by a court following her guilty plea to a charge of indecency.The father of Eleanor Hawkins, the British tourist who was detained for stripping off on Malaysia’s highest peak, has spoken of his relief after she was freed by a court following her guilty plea to a charge of indecency.
Hawkins and three other tourists were each sentenced to three days in prison and a fine of around £860 for the stunt on Mount Kinabalu, which is regarded by local people as a sacred place. As they had already served that time in police custody, they were freed and ordered to be deported from Malaysia.Hawkins and three other tourists were each sentenced to three days in prison and a fine of around £860 for the stunt on Mount Kinabalu, which is regarded by local people as a sacred place. As they had already served that time in police custody, they were freed and ordered to be deported from Malaysia.
Related: Malaysia to free British tourist over naked mountain pose
Hawkins’ parents were up all night at their home in Derbyshire waiting for news of the delayed hearing. Her father, Tim, said he was anxious to get his daughter safely back to the UK.Hawkins’ parents were up all night at their home in Derbyshire waiting for news of the delayed hearing. Her father, Tim, said he was anxious to get his daughter safely back to the UK.
“We are relieved, but we don’t want to say too much because we want to protect Ellie,” he said. “As far as we know she is currently under the protection of the consulate.”“We are relieved, but we don’t want to say too much because we want to protect Ellie,” he said. “As far as we know she is currently under the protection of the consulate.”
He said he had not managed to speak to his daughter since the verdict. “We are waiting for the consular official to get her somewhere safe. We need to talk to the FCO about travel arrangements. As far as I’ve been told it is immediate deportation.”He said he had not managed to speak to his daughter since the verdict. “We are waiting for the consular official to get her somewhere safe. We need to talk to the FCO about travel arrangements. As far as I’ve been told it is immediate deportation.”
Asked when he expected his daughter to return, he said: “We really do want her home but we’ve got no idea what and when is going to happen.”Asked when he expected his daughter to return, he said: “We really do want her home but we’ve got no idea what and when is going to happen.”
Hawkins praised the diplomats in Malaysia. “They have done a fabulous job, they’ve been really helpful, really useful. And our local MP Maggie Throup has been very good as well.”Hawkins praised the diplomats in Malaysia. “They have done a fabulous job, they’ve been really helpful, really useful. And our local MP Maggie Throup has been very good as well.”
He said he spoke to his daughter before the hearing, when she told him she expected to be charged with “obscene acts in a public place”.He said he spoke to his daughter before the hearing, when she told him she expected to be charged with “obscene acts in a public place”.
On Thursday the family issued a statement saying Hawkins knew that what she had done was “stupid and disrespectful” and that she was very sorry for the offence caused.On Thursday the family issued a statement saying Hawkins knew that what she had done was “stupid and disrespectful” and that she was very sorry for the offence caused.
During the sentencing of the four tourists, the judge Dean Wayne Daly said he accepted that they felt remorse. He also accepted that although Hawkins was arrested at an airport “there was nothing to show Eleanor was absconding the law”.During the sentencing of the four tourists, the judge Dean Wayne Daly said he accepted that they felt remorse. He also accepted that although Hawkins was arrested at an airport “there was nothing to show Eleanor was absconding the law”.
Throup, the Conservative MP for Erewash, said: “I remain in contact with consular officials at the Foreign Office who reassure me that they are doing everything possible to assist Eleanor with her repatriation back to the UK. I hope that all involved can now draw a line under this incident and return to normal life.”Throup, the Conservative MP for Erewash, said: “I remain in contact with consular officials at the Foreign Office who reassure me that they are doing everything possible to assist Eleanor with her repatriation back to the UK. I hope that all involved can now draw a line under this incident and return to normal life.”
Many people in Malaysia were appalled by the tourists’ behaviour on the mountain. Some believed that it angered the spirit of the mountain and blamed it for a magnitude 5.9 earthquake that struck nearby six days later, killing 18 climbers.Many people in Malaysia were appalled by the tourists’ behaviour on the mountain. Some believed that it angered the spirit of the mountain and blamed it for a magnitude 5.9 earthquake that struck nearby six days later, killing 18 climbers.