Two Chinese nationals acquitted of drug possession

A Chinese national couple leaped for joy as they could now return home to China for Chinese New Year after the Court of Appeal acquitted them on a charge of drug possession, here today.

Koo Wing Cheung, 29 and his girlfriend Fan Ting Ting, 25, who had spent four years in prison, hugged each other in the dock after the Court of Appeal three-member panel led by Datuk Abdul Malik Ishak allowed the appeal to set aside their conviction and 18-year jail term.

"I'm relieved and all I want now is to return home to be with my family in Hong Kong," said Koo, 29.

A teary eyed Fan, from Shenzhen, mainland China, said she just wanted to return home to celebrate the new year.

The couple, represented by lawyer Gooi Soon Seng, had every reason to celebrate their freedom because they initially escaped the gallows.