instead of behind bars.

Governor Thorold Masefield showed mercy to Janice Dayle-Smith -- sentenced for seven years in prison in 1997 for drugs offences -- and allowed her to spend her remaining days with her family.

And yesterday she boarded an airplane bound for Canada for a surprise Christmas reunion with her loved ones.

The touching reunion was brought about by the kindness of an AIDS volunteer who took a special interest in Mrs. Dayle-Smith and her family.

Michael Fox wrote to the Governor and explained Mrs. Dayle-Smith's unusual circumstances and requested clemency for the dying mother.

Mrs. Dayle-Smith, of King Street, Pembroke, was sentenced in June 1997 after pleading guilty to importing 498.2 grams of cocaine -- worth $155,625 -- with intent to supply on January 29, 1995.

Throughout her trial, Mrs. Dayle-Smith maintained that she was hoodwinked into the role of drug courier.

Last year, the Court of Appeal turned down Mrs. Dayle-Smith's request for an appeal despite hearing that she might only have two years to live.

The panel of three judges, led by Court of Appeal President Sir James Astwood, made the ruling to warn American drugs barons Bermuda was not a "soft touch''.

Sir James had said: "If we start treating AIDS sufferers leniently, we will only encourage the use of couriers who are suffering from a terminal illness.'' The Jamaican-born mother caught the HIV virus from her late Bermudian husband.

Three of the couple's children lived and went to school in Bermuda until last May when they were deported to Canada.

Editorial: Page 4 Story: Page 31