Sainsbury deal under review

CASSIE Sainsbury’s drug smuggling charges could be dropped as a judge reviews her case and rejects the plea deal she agreed to for a shorter sentence.

Ms Sainsbury yesterday told a Bogota court she accepted her mission to be a drug runner after her family’s life was threatened.

Instead of rubber-stamping what looked like a great deal — possible freedom with good behaviour in three years opposed to the 30-year maximum she faced — Senior Judge Sergio Leon ordered further investigations and indicated she could be innocent.

She was arrested on April 12 as she tried to leave Bogota International Airport with 5.8kg of cocaine packed in her suitcase.

She initially denied any knowledge of the drugs, saying she thought she packed headphones she bought cheap for her bridal party.

But she has since claimed her family was threatened with a gun held to her head.

Despite the varying versions of events, the judge has thrown the 22-year-old a lifeline in her dramatic first day in court.

The prosecutor reacted angrily when she claimed she was threatened.

“I am surprised at this because one thing appears in the documents and then the accused says something else,” the prosecutor said.

“If she continues saying that she signed the preagreement knowing she was at threat and she can prove this to the court this must be done by the defence.”