Cardiff Mum Nicole Reyes Held in Dominican Republic for Seven Months without Charge

A woman from Cardiff has been in jail in the Dominican Republic for seven months without charge.

Nicole Reyes, 37, is being held for the murder of her husband ,Jorge, who died after his motorbike collided with the car she was driving.

Originally from Rumney, Reyes moved to the Dominican Republic with her husband, who is a Dominican national, 10 years ago.

Jorge was riding his motorbike alongside Nicola in her 4x4. They were driving along a dark road when approaching vehicles caused her to swerve, knocking over his bike.

Reyes' mother Jeannette Clements, speaking to ITV, said: "She jumped out of the vehicle calling for him. She could see his bike and then she realised he was under the jeep."

Her family believe that Reyes will not be given a fair trial and said she was being held in awful conditions.

Clements said: "She was in absolute horrendous conditions in the beginning. There were people murdered there. There were people beaten there. She was in a tiny room with 15 other women.

"She slept on the floor and there was a bucket in the corner."

If found guilty, Reyes could face up to 30 years in jail. Human rights group Fair Trials International said foreigners held in the Dominican Republic are vulnerable because of inadequate prisoner care.

"Individuals arrested in the Dominican Republic may face lengthy periods of pre-trial detention in prison conditions falling far below international standards in a criminal justice system reported to be struggling with poor administration and corruption," a spokesperson said.

Never felt so alone

"Foreign nationals with little knowledge of the local language and the legal system are particularly vulnerable to breaches of their basic rights to a fair trial."

Reyes' daughter Leah said she spoke to her mother every day but the calls were always distressing: "When you've got to say bye to her and know she's going to be a mess, it's horrible.

"All I want and all my brother wants is my mum to be here."

Speaking from Jail, Reyes told ITV: "As fast as you break down one brick wall, another one is built in front of you.

"It's very difficult, I don't see any light at the end of the tunnel, and right now I'm feeling I'm struggling.

"I've not got a lot of strength to keep going. It is very difficult every day talking to my family knowing that they love me and they're trying hard to fight for me.

"I'm here, and I've never in my life felt so alone."

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office said it is providing consular assistance.