Death row for granny

AUSTRALIAN grandmother Maria Elvira Pinto Exposto has been sentenced to death by hanging in Malaysia after an appeal court sensationally overturned her earlier acquittal on drug smuggling charges.

In a shock decision yesterday, three judges in the Court of Appeal in Kuala Lumpur found an emotional Exposto, 54, guilty of smuggling 1.5kg of methamphetamine.

In handing down the verdict, one judge said: “This is our decision. It is unanimous. We find there are merits of the appeal … and set aside judgment of the High Court judge and you are guilty as convicted. The only sentence under the law is death by hanging.”