A high-profile Scottish criminal lawyer has offered to help free suspected Peruvian drug mule Melissa Reid.
Matthew Berlow, a former nominee for Scotland’s Solicitor of the Year, has been in touch with her family through a Facebook page to offer his legal services for free.
It is unclear what, if any, legal advice the 20-year-old from Lenzie is currently getting as she awaits trial in Lima for trying to smuggle £1.5 million worth of cocaine out of the country disguised as food.
Her co-accused, Michaella Connolly, is being advised by “Bloody Sunday” victims’ lawyer Peter Madden who has flown out to the South American country to help.
It is believed he is giving advice to Reid, who could wait for trial for up to three years in Lima’s tough Virgen de Fatima’s woman’s jail.
But Glasgow-based Berlow, who used to be a partner of renowned Glasgow firm Beltrami Berlow before setting up his own practice, said: “There could be a conflict of interest. Depending on how they plead, it could mean they come up against each other.
“I’m no expert on Peruvian law but I’d like to think I could help.
“What I do know is how to negotiate and that could be a key skill in any ensuing legal saga. I know what needs to be achieved and am offering to do it for free.
“Some of my fellow lawyers have given me a roasting for ambulance chasing but I don’t see anything wrong with it.
“Anyone who says they are doing something on a 100% altruistic basis is a liar. Of course publicity comes into it, I’m not going to deny that.
“But just as important is that I think I could genuinely help.
“I’ve approached them and will wait to see what they say.”
Berlow has defended a number of high-profile clients in recent years.
In 2011 he helped defend, Neil McKenzie, one of two men convicted of sending parcel bombs to Celtic FC manager Neil Lennon.
He is currently acting for Scotland football starlet and Chelsea player Islam Feruz on driving charges.
And he has been part of the team defending Angela Hamilton, due to stand trial accused of slashing child-killer Theresa Riggi with a razor in Cornton Vale Prison, near Stirling, in 2011.
She allegedly pulled Riggi’s hair and repeatedly struck her face and head with the razor.
Melissa’s family could not be contacted last night.
In 2010 he also defended evil Roshan Dantis described by police as “one of the most dangerous murderers Scotland has known” after he brutally chopped up his best friend’s wife with a meat cleaver.
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