Relief as mum avoids jail in kidnap row

Aug 22 2005 Exclusive by James Cartledge, Evening Mail

A BIRMINGHAM mum kicked out of Britain after being accused of kidnapping her own daughter has avoided a jail sentence in Canada.

Sparkbrook-born Samantha Deen could have been jailed for ten years over the alleged abduction of her daughter, Jenny, now aged 12.

But a judge in Vancouver decided she should face no further punishment and set her free.

Relatives of the mother of two today told of their joy that her ordeal was over.

"It's a massive relief because we were really worried about what would happen to her," said her sister-in-law, Michelle Deen. " Samantha was delighted when the verdict was announced."

The Evening Mail exclusively revealed in May how Samantha, who grew up in Canada, was facing extradition after fleeing back to Birmingham with Jenny five years ago.

She had earlier lost a court battle to stop the girl's father, James Safronick, seeing the child, despite claiming he was an alcoholic.

Safronick was granted annual access to Jenny after 38-year-old Samantha was extradited last month.

But she faced an anxious wait to discover whether she would be jailed until a judge decided her fate.

She is now visiting friends around Canada and could not be contacted for comment. But, speaking from Vancouver, Michelle said she planned to return to Britain with Jenny in time for the start of the new school year next month.

"I think she will be there for a couple of years while she wraps things up," she said.