Bail cut on Scottish mother facing vice charge in US

Anna Gristina, originally from Kirkliston in West Lothian, has been behind bars in a US prison since February after being charged with promoting prostitution.

But a New York appeals court yesterday agreed to lower her bail to just $250,000 after hearing her nine-year-old son had developed a heart condition following her arrest.

They called the original amount “unreasonable”, raising her chance of being released after more than three months.

Gristina’s lawyer Norman Pattis told a five-judge panel his client had a clean criminal record and was willing to wear a tagging device if bail was lowered.

In a written statement, the judges agreed saying: “We find that the amount of bail set by the trial court was unreasonable. and an abuse of discretion, and that, taking into account the rid of petitioner’s flight, bail in the reduced amount indicated is sufficient to ensure petitioners attendance.”

They also noted that despite the “notoriety” of the case Gristina faces only a single charge and is a resident of New York with four children.

Mr Pattis claimed his client is “destitute” but said she has appealed to family members.

He added: ‘We’re one step closer to home. I’ll be far happier when Ms Gristina is reunited with her husband and children.”