Daddy, come home

Six-year-old Jessica knows little about the dramatic events taking place hundreds of miles away in Greece.

But mum, Nona Hodgson, who lives in Thirsk, said the six-year-old is "watching the news more than cartoons" as she struggles to catch a glimpse of her dad.

"Andy has phoned a few times to speak to her," she said. "She is missing him like mad and talking about him a lot. She just wants him to come home, we all do."

Andy, 32, has spent the last three weeks detained in Greece after being arrested at the Megara Airbase in Kalamata.

The Greek authorities arrested Andy, of Barkston Avenue, Acomb, along with 11 other Britons after they were seen viewing military aircraft.

His imprisonment, in the notorious Nafplion jail, while he waits to be dealt with, has not only been uncomfortable physically. It has etched mental scars.

"He is away from his little girl and that is hurting him," said Andy's sister Adele Yon. "I know he is missing her."

Steve Jenkins, Andy's brother, added: "He has been talking about his daughter. The family was on television the other day and he wanted her go on as well.

"When I spoke to him on Wednesday, he told me he loved her, missed her and that he hoped he would be home soon."

Nona added: "When I have spoken to Andy he doesn't seem too bad, but I know he is missing Jessica a lot.

"I was really shocked when I found out he had been arrested. He sent me a text message, I thought he was joking.

"It is all a bit much for Jessica really. She is watching the news more than the cartoons at the moment. She keeps asking me if I have heard anything and when daddy is coming home."

British MEP Richard Howitt, who visited the enthusiasts in Nafplion jail, said today he was generally satisfied with prison conditions.

But he was concerned that ten of the men were sleeping on mats on the floor.

The group was angry at being given little access to their lawyer, and at facing photography and scanner charges when there was strong evidence of their innocence.

Click here to find out what the Greeks think about the situation (until Monday 3 December)

Updated: 09:36 Saturday, December 01, 2001