Oxford don's daughter Alexia Stewart, home after 19 months in an Indian prison, today thanked Oxford Mail readers for their support, writes Stephen Deal.

The 29-year-old, wrongfully imprisoned on drugs charges, returned to the family home in Berkeley Road, Boars Hill, Oxford, on Saturday - and celebrated with an English breakfast.

Alexia then went on an emotion-filled walk in the countryside with her mother, Lucille - whom she had not seen for a year and a half - before a hot bath and the chance to catch up on some sleep. The graduate, who had to wait six weeks after winning her appeal before being allowed to leave India, wanted to express her sincere thanks for the estimated 50 letters she received in jail from Oxford Mail readers.

She said: "I was very surprised by the response. It was a great help to hear from so many people in Oxford and it made me very nostalgic for home.

"Just to have that contact was very important to me. I would like to thank all those who sent me letters - and cards with pictures of the city on.

"It was incredibly kind. Every letter was very precious."

As well as letters from readers, Alexia received dozens of messages from family and friends, and from pupils at The European School in Culham, where her mother is a biology teacher. Alexia and charity worker Gary Carter were jailed for ten years after being falsely accused of possessing a small amount of cannabis at their home in Goa.

Her father, Philip, a lecturer at St Anne's College, campaigned tirelessly to free her. He was given special permission by his employers to stay in India over the summer as the appeal date drew nearer. Once paperwork had been completed, he flew back with his daughter.

Alexia said: "To have my dad's help was invaluable. When I left prison, I felt safe and protected thanks to him."

They arrived at Heathrow Airport to be met by Alexia's mum and 16-year-old sister, Olivia.

Alexia said: "It was a very special moment." Mrs Stewart, fighting back tears, added: "Not having Alexia was a big weight on us and it is very, very exciting to have the whole family back in one piece."

Mr Stewart said: "I was sure we would get Alexia back by one means or another. I felt it would be by means of a pardon.

"She can start life again as an innocent person without a criminal record."

Since Alexia arrived home, neighbours have been tooting their horns as they drive past. Ordeal over at last for Alexia Alexia Stewart looked over the breathtaking Boars Hill countryside towards Oxford's dreaming spires yesterday and declared: "It's such a relief to be home."

After her harrowing nightmare in India, which saw her falsely imprisoned on a trumped-up drugs charge, the 29-year-old graduate was finally able to feel safe and secure again.

Alexia and her father, Philip, were met at Heathrow on Saturday by Alexia's mum, Lucille, and 16-year-old sister, Olivia. Arriving home in Berkeley Road, Alexia was re-united with youngest brother, Anthony, 21. Alexia had been living in the popular backpacker resort of Goa on March 20, 1998, when her world was suddenly turned upside down.

Police raided the home she shared with then-boyfriend Gary Carter and claimed the couple had a small amount of cannabis resin.

On August 19, the couple appeared in an Indian court and were remanded in custody. Under Indian law, there is no bail for defendants charged on drugs offences.

Alexia was eventually sentenced to ten years in jail. She admits she found it very hard to cope at first. She recalled: "It was very hard to adjust. The days were so long. Then I found ways to fill my time. I was getting a lot of support from friends. Friends and local people were writing to me, particularly after an article appeared in the Oxford Mail.

"It was incredibly kind. Every letter was very precious."

Another source of great comfort came from Gary. He flew back with Alexia and her dad and is now at his family's home in Milton Keynes. The couple managed to keep in contact during their ordeal.

One of the hardest things for Alexia to cope with was knowing how worried her family would be. But her parents kept faith that justice would eventually prevail. However, even after Alexia won her appeal, she could not feel entirely safe.

There was the threat of the police appealing against the judges' verdict and they had to wait for official papers to be signed allowing her to leave the country.

That was finally done on November 23 and it was on Thursday when they were finally told Alexia could return home.

Alexia broke into a broad smile as she recalled her first moments at home. "We had a family breakfast when we got in - proper English. Lots of tea and toast!"

She and her mother then went for a long walk in the countryside which surrounds the family home. Alexia is now looking forward to catching up with her friends. And she is also looking forward to getting back into the city which has been her home most of her life.

"Oxford is a beautiful city. I was sent a few cards of the dreaming spires and it made me feel very nostalgic," she said.

Alexia is looking forward to a Christmas reunion with her two other brothers who are currently abroad - Chris, 26, who is in Botswana, and Greg, 24, who is in France.

Story date: Monday 06 December

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.