British mother held in Caribbean jail for 18 months accused of murdering her husband in car crash is forced to wear bullet proof vest after receiving death threats

  • Nicole Reyes has been held without trial for since husband's death
  • Former Thomas Cook rep says his road death was a tragic accident
  • Mum has been classed as a grade A security risk following threats
  • Friends that have visited her in jail have also been threatened

By Hayley O'keeffe

PUBLISHED: 06:39 EST, 30 December 2013 | UPDATED: 16:52 EST, 30 December 2013

A British mother-of-two who is accused of murdering her husband in the Caribbean has to wear a bullet proof vest to court after being sent death threats.

Nicole Reyes has spent almost 18 months in the Dominican Republic jail dubbed 'the Devil's Hotel' after her husband Jorge Quintanilla, 38 died in a road crash on the holiday island.

The former Thomas Cook travel rep maintains her innocence, claiming her partner's death was a tragic accident.

Nicole Reyes who is living through a nightmarish Dominican Republic prison ordeal has to wear a bulletproof vest to court after being subjected to a series of chilling death threats

Nicole Reyes who is living through a nightmarish Dominican Republic prison ordeal has to wear a bulletproof vest to court after being subjected to a series of chilling death threats

Nicole, 38, is yet to face trial, but has attended court hearings in protective clothing and flanked by a half-a-dozen armed guards following threats.

 

More...

Her mother Jeannette Clements, 62, said: 'They told us we were all dead, one person shouted "none of you will leave this island alive".

'She had six SWAT men around her and she had to wear a bulletproof vest.

Nicole Reyes and her husband Jorge pictured on their wedding day
Nicole and Jorge in happier times

Happier times: Nicole Reyes and Jorge pictured on their wedding day (left) and (right) on an evening out

'She always loved that country, now she says she hates it'

She added: 'She used to say "I'll never leave this country" but now she says she can't wait to get out of there.'

Nicole, who is originally from Cardiff, has been given grade A security status because of the risk of other prisoners hurting her.

Nicole's mother Jeannette Clements said her daughter must now wear the bulletproof vest because of death threats: Nicole is pictured here with her husband Jorge, who she is accused of murdering

Nicole's mother Jeannette Clements said her daughter must now wear the bulletproof vest because of death threats: Nicole is pictured here with her husband Jorge, who she is accused of murdering

Even some of Nicole's friends who have visited her in prison have been threatened.

Nicole, who moved to the Dominican Republic ten years ago, says she accidentally ran over Jorge while he drove next to her Toyota SUV on his motorbike.

She faces 30 years in jail if convicted of his murder but claims she will kill herself if she is found guilty.

She is suffering with kidney stones and infections in her throat, chest and ear as well as an ongoing problem of bacteria in her stomach.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is aware she is being held in detention pending trial but say they are unable to help.

A spokesman said: 'We cannot interfere in the judicial process of another country, and must respect their systems.'

Comments (23)

Share what you think

 View all

The comments below have been moderated in advance.

Bit laid back there but 18 months in limbo is bang out of order. British Gov. should have intervened, O sorry I forgot there's no such thing

11
31
 Click to rate

I note the Foreign and Commonwealth flunkies are doing nothing at all to aid this woman. They should be sacked. It's not about interfering in the legal process, just get the woman seen by a doctor. I hate the British government, it might as well work for someone else, like our enemy, it's certainly not on our side!

13
47
 Click to rate

At risk with their laws and judicial system when you enter a Third world country.

5
24
 Click to rate

After moving to another country to work ,then she must accept the justice that works in that country.The british consul is powerless and can only watch.She married a local and lived as a local ,so yelling that shes british get me out of here will not help.

3
47
 Click to rate

How can the Foreign Office not be able to help BUT yet help other British criminals mainly drug smugglers? ??.

6
33
 Click to rate

If she'd asked, I could have told her it wasn't going to end well. They never listen, though.

1
22
 Click to rate

She'll be left to rot over there by our government, we don't bother when a fellow citizen is in trouble, as that poor poor doctor found out over in Syria.

13
15
 Click to rate

Unfortunately it's a risk you take living in countries such as this.

1
36
 Click to rate

Another oil and water story.

1
19
 Click to rate

Who cares I don't and anyway 18months not long. How come she is not here doing her time, most get sent back here for a holiday.

10
10
 Click to rate

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

Add your comment

By posting your comment you agree to our house rules.

Who is this week's top commenter? Find out now