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Gambia News : British missionary couple admit sedition in Gambia

"We are apologising to the people of the Gambia, which we see as our second home and the president in particular for what we have done," said David Fulton who had been charged with sedition along with his wife Fiona.

"We have really regretted what we have done and would therefore extend our apologies to each and every Gambian."

The couple had previously denied the charges but changed their plea at an appearance at Banjul magistrate's court.

The presiding magistrate Idrissa Mbai said that the couple would be sentenced on Tuesday, December 30.

Under Gambian law, the couple could face up to a year in prison or a fine of 50,000 dalasis (1,865 dollars/1,350 euros).

The couple's lawyer Antouman Gaye urged the court to keep any sentence to a minimum, given their remorse.

"The accused have been living in the Gambia since 1999 and have contributed a lot towards the socio-economic development of the country. This is a mistake and they have regretted what they have done," he said.

The missionaries, who were arrested in Banjul on November 29, had been accused of jointly printing, publishing or reproducing seditious publications with intent to bring hatred or contempt or to excite disaffection against the president or the government.

Speaking in court last week when the case was adjourned, Gaye said the Fultons did not deny writing the e-mails, but the question was whether they did so with criminal intent.

David Fulton, 60, had been held in a remand prison while his 46-year-old wife had been held at the police headquarters as they had been unable to meet their bail conditions since they were charged.

The couple also have an adopted two-year-old daughter who has been staying with her mother at the police station during the day and looked after by friends of the couple at night.

The Fultons, who have been living in Gambia since 1999, have ties to the Westhoughton Pentecostal Church outside Bolton, near Manchester in northwest England.

According to the church's website, Fulton is chaplain for the Gambian army and has a ministry on the river, which involves reaching villages only accessible by boat. His wife looks after terminally ill people.