Drug smuggling Scot is sentenced to a life in paradise Crook boasts of sunshine freedom

Sunshine freedom boasts ... Kelly Carrigan EXCLUSIVE By PAUL THORNTON Published: 29th June 2013 15 COKE smuggler Kelly Carrigan is boasting about lapping up the sun on perfect tropical beaches — instead of being banged up in a grim Caribbean nick. The 34-year-old was freed earlier this year from a tough women-only prison on the Dominican Republic, where she was doing time for being caught with a £300,000 haul. She was allowed to see out her sentence in the sun on the condition she holds down a job and checks in with a probation officer — but in her free time she relaxes among holidaymakers on Punta Cana beach. The pretty mum-of-two keeps her two sons, pals and other family members updated on her enviable lifestyle via the internet — and has even bragged about hanging out with a pop band on a night out on the island. In one post from March this year on her Facebook page she said: “Snowpatrol is on holiday here... going to see them at the Hard Rock Cafe... VIP... ” It’s thought blonde Carrigan has a job in a hotel on the island — but guests there are unaware of her past as a drugs smuggler. We told in 2009 how drug cops swooped on Carrigan and lover Daniel Patterson, 34, also from Glasgow, as they prepared to jet home in October 2008. Officers found 15lb of cocaine in their luggage during the search at Punta Cana Airport. Carrigan’s petrified children Jay, then just 10, and Kai, only eight, were thrown into an orphanage on the island until her shattered parents Ricky, 55, and Carol, 54, flew out to rescue them. Carrigan was originally stuck in a tiny cell with a dozen other women while awaiting her trial. In November 2009 she was found guilty and sentenced to eight years and had been held at the Najayo Mujeres jail in the country’s San Cristobal district. Hard labour ... Carrigan spends time on stunning Punta Cana beach when she’s not working But in February she was released from the nick and allowed to stay in a subsidised flat in Punta Cana, in a block along with other English speaking people. As part of her early release she has to take part in the island’s work programme. An insider in the prison department say that because Carrigan speaks English she’ll most likely be working in the resort — a huge draw for UK and US sunseekers. The official — who asked not to be named — said: “Given that Miss Carrigan can speak English she will be employed somewhere where that can be put to good use. Her work will be in a hotel. Typically the type of work found for prisoners on early release will be in housekeeping duties. “We have a very active rehabilitation programme that offers prisoners the chance to make their way back into society. “They are given one chance. There is no second chance.” Following her release Carrigan has wasted no time in sorting out an active social life. In another post on her Facebook page she moans: “Insomnia can’t sleep poor me.” Carrigan also posts a picture of a slogan which seems to celebrate her release. It reads: “Tough times never last, but tough people do.” Last night a source said: “Kelly is free from prison but she still has to see out time in the Dominican Republic as a condition of her release. “Being free from sharing cells and the local prison system is obviously an improvement but it’s thought she is still desperate to get home to her family. “She’s been keeping in touch through Facebook and is keeping a brave face on things. It must be difficult being away from her family but I can think of worse places than a tropical tourist resort to see out a jail sentence.” At the time of her arrest Carrigan told The Scottish Sun: “I know nothing about it — I’ve done nothing wrong. “I don’t know if Daniel is innocent or guilty. I haven’t had a chance to speak to him yet.” Last night Scots Tory chief whip John Lamont blasted the Dominican Republic justice system. He said: “The way of life sounds like anything but punishment. “This woman is probably amazed to have discovered a place on Earth with a softer approach to justice than Scotland. “Compared to the kind of sentences on offer for drug offences elsewhere in the world, she’s got off extremely lightly. The important point is that drugs wreak misery on communities across Scotland, and those attempting to cash in on that deserve to be punished very severely.” Carrigan’s release comes two years after Patterson, left, boasted of boozing and partying behind bars in another island jail. In Facebook posts he bragged: “Wee hangover. Drinking rum shot last night. Banging sore head.” And in another he said: “We can have parties here any time. No rules apply in this jail.” Last night Foreign Office spokesman said: “We can confirm a British National was granted conditional release from prison in Dominican Republic.” He added: “We have provided consular assistance.” Carrigan’s father Ricky refused to speak about his daughter at his home in Glasgow last night. paul.thornton@the-sun.c