Final plea for hunger strike prisoner

LAWYERS acting for a Colombian who has been on hunger- strike in Wandsworth prison, south-west London, for more than four months are to make a last attempt to appeal against his conviction for drug smuggling, writes Adam Sage.

Staff at the jail are said to be 'very concerned' for Jesus Neira, 37, whose solicitor said he was close to death.

He has taken nothing but water since May, although yesterday he accepted a drip.

Neira was sentenced to 11 years last March after being found guilty of smuggling pounds 250,000 worth of cocaine into Britain.

He has consistently protested his innocence, but last July a judge refused him leave to appeal. Last night, John Zani, his solicitor, said, however, that he would renew the application for leave to appeal.