A HAMPSHIRE woman has vowed to carry on the fight to free her deaf and disabled brother from an Indian jail despite a shock ruling that he has no right to a second appeal.

Elspeth Dugdale, of Braishfield, near Romsey, remains determined to clear her brother's name and release him from prison where he is nearly 12 months into a ten-year sentence for possession of cannabis.

Ian Stillman, 51, who has diabetes and an artificial leg, has always maintained his innocence.

Elspeth said: "This is a huge shock and a major setback. We all, including experienced lawyers, expected the appeal to be given the go-ahead. Instead it was rejected outright.

"Our lawyers over there will now sit down over the next few days and decide on the next step. It is very upsetting."

Romsey MP Sandra Gidley, who criticised the Foreign Office for its role in the affair, said: "This is just a complete travesty. It's incredibly disappointing, I really can't believe it.

"It would be nice to actually know how much the Foreign Office did actually help - probably very little."

The family had high hopes of seeing Ian released on bail pending the appeal to the Supreme Court, especially after managing to get him into an Indian hospital where his diabetes was officially diagnosed.

Elspeth, 40, fears that if Ian does not receive urgent treatment - an improved diet and physiotherapy - he may lose his remaining leg because his diabetes is seriously affecting his circulation. Ian, who set up the Nambikkai Foundation in 1978 to provide training, employment and education for deaf people in India, was jailed last June after being arrested for allegedly possessing 20kg of cannabis.

Stephen Jakobi, of human rights group Fair Trials Abroad, was outraged by reports that the judge suggested deaf and disabled people were often used as drugs couriers.