A Samoan court won't allow a business couple convicted of fraud charges to leave the country saying there's a high chance they will not return.
Nicolas Gianno has been sentenced to three years in jail and Rosita Stanfield has been sentenced to five months after they were found guilty of receiving money by deception.
The pair are on bail and yet to start their sentence because they have appealed against the decision.
They wanted to visit their family and business in England.
Outside the court Gianno expressed frustration at the court ruling.
"Not a single person has complained, not one person. Not a single person has lost money, so where the judgement is based on? We've been held held here over one year. We haven't seen our families. I have not even told my parents because they are elderly parents and I 'm afraid something might happen to them."
Nicolas Gianno and Rosita Stanfield have been sentenced to jail in Samoa but are appealing. Photo: RNZI/Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia
