Lorna and Tony Aggett with Ryan

FOUR-YEAR-OLD Ryan Aggett, who was born in a Thai jail, is growing up in Wootton Bassett while his parents maintain their innocence of drugs charges.

Four years ago Jody Aggett, 28, and his Thai girlfriend Ramphia Lo, known as Kristin, were arrested for manufacturing ecstasy.

In 2003 they were sentenced to death, which was later commuted to life imprisonment.

But there are many doubts surrounding the convictions.

The couple had been allowed to stay rent-free in a building containing a travel agency if they opened and closed the business each day.

But the agency's owner had been manufacturing ecstasy, according to Jody's parents, Tony and Lorna Aggett. Lorna, 52, originally from South Africa, said: "We've had four years of complete isolation and loneliness. Jody has been in prison for four years and we are waiting for a supreme court appeal which we are hoping will be in September.

"We don't hold out much hope but we have to try every avenue.

"It's been very hard for us to not become angry and bitter.

"Jody is completely innocent. There is no evidence against him."

The couple have visited him in jail three times.

Mrs Aggett said: "Jody says it's very hard for him. When we leave he goes into a terrible depression for several months.

"He is bitter and angry because he never thought it would come to this. But his strength is amazing. He has made the best of everything. He has taught English to the person in charge of the prison.

Mrs Aggett says her grandson Ryan, who attends a Wootton Bassett pre-school, looks on her and her husband as his parents.

She said: "Ryan has been over to see his parents once. He walked up to his daddy and said Oh you are real'. Then he gazed at his mother and said I love you'."

Sabine Zanker, a lawyer for Fair Trials Abroad, said: "We believe the judgement lacks reasoning. The conviction of the estate agent and his girlfriend was based on evidence of a police informer who did not mention Jody or his girlfriend.

"There is no evidence to link Jody to the crime. He was not originally allowed access to an interpreter and in police interrogation he was forced to sign a confession. They have very harsh interrogation methods that would make me sign anything."

Anyone wanting to write to Jody to offer support can contact him at Bangwang C.P. Nonthaburi Road, Nontaburi, Bangkok, Thailand 11000.

The family of a man jailed for life in Thailand hope recent court cases there will raise his chances of release.

Jody Aggett, 28, from Swindon, was jailed for life in 2003 after being convicted of involvement in an ecstasy- manufacturing ring.

His family claim he was forced to sign an untranslated Thai confession.

They hope the renewal of interest in the Thai justice system in the wake of the murder of holidaymaker Katherine Horton will lead to a review of cases.

Aggett's parents Lorna and Tony, who care for his four-year-old son Ryan at their Wiltshire home, said they were "hoping and praying" fresh scrutiny could help secure his release.

" There was a letter all in Thai - they said to him 'sign this or else' " Lorna Aggett

Aggett and his Thai girlfriend Ramphia Lo - known as Kristin - were arrested in 2001. The couple had been living rent-free above a travel agency in Bangkok on the understanding they opened and closed the shop each day.

But when the agency's owner, a dual Canadian and Dutch citizen known as Adrian, and his Thai girlfriend were arrested for manufacturing ecstasy on the premises, Aggett and Kristin were also held by police.

Aggett was originally given a death penalty, but his sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment.

Mrs Aggett said: "In the beginning there was a letter all in Thai. They said to him 'sign this or else', I think Kristin was trying to translate but it was in the middle of police shouting 'sign it, sign it,'.

"When you think of the sentence, that's a harsh sentence for being in the wrong place at the wrong time it is hard not to be angry and bitter about it."

The Aggetts claim Adrian's girlfriend has since confessed that the tenants had not had any part in the drugs manufacture.

Their son has now lodged an appeal against his conviction with the Thai supreme court, claiming an unfair trial and insufficient evidence. The family's campaign is supported by UK-based Fair Trials Abroad.