A WELSH woman who was falsely imprisoned in Kuwait is now back home.

Sara Assayed, 35, from Barry, has been living in Kuwait for 15 years working as a primary school teacher, along with helping rescue animals and rehome them across the world.

In February 2019 police stopped her and accused her of having drugs in her car; her trial was delayed by the coronavirus pandemic, and she was found guilty, but this was overturned by a higher court.

Overturning the sentence, the judge said the evidence was insignificant and the accusations made by the police did not match up.

Ms Assayed’s family were told she would be deported after she spent two weeks self-isolating in a cell with no fans, no windows, and no blanket.

When, 26 days later, she was still imprisoned in conditions “not fit for animals” her family appealed to the Foreign Office to get her home.

She arrived at Heathrow Airport yesterday (July 15) afternoon.

Her sister, Sheree Conibear, has confirmed that Ms Assayed is back in Wales but "not in a very good mental state".

Ms Assayed has reunited with her parents Helen Conibear and Ziad Assayed; Sheree is hoping to return to Wales from Jordan - where she has been carrying out humanitarian work - next week.

Speaking of her only sister returning home, Sheree said: "We are so relieved that this is over and she is home.

"We were so stressed - my mum got ill and had to take time of work - and I was waking up every single day planning our next move.

"I'm so excited to fly home and see her, even just for simple things like having a coffee or going for a walk.

“I’m so looking forward to bonding with her, supporting her and helping her move forward."

She added that the family are "blessed and grateful: to the media for "providing a voice for a woman who didn't have one" and for speaking up for Sara.

“She can start her life again now," added Sheree.

"I'm grateful to the community of Barry for their support and to all the people who signed our petition and sent good wishes."