A SOMERSET woman who faced the death penalty in Malaysia for killing her husband will be released within days, according to a national newspaper report.

Samantha Jones, from Martock, stabbed husband of 17 years, former firefighter John Jones, at their home in Langkawi in 2018.

But at her trial, Mrs Jones was sentenced to up to ten years in prison after a judge ruled she killed her husband in self defence after years of physical and mental abuse.

He had found her guilty of 'culpable homicide' - equivalent to manslaughter in the British justice system.

The Sunday Mirror said Mrs Jones, 55, was "thrilled to bits" after learning she would be freed on February 18 after serving 28 months in jail.

But she will have to spend time in quarantine due to the Covid-19 pandemic before being deported to the UK.

The Sunday Mirror reported yesterday that the former insurance clerk's family have been told to pay for her flights and accommodation.

During her trial, it was claimed that Mrs Jones's husband, 63, was an alcoholic with a violent temper.

Killed by his wife - John Jones

Killed by his wife - John Jones

John Jones

The court heard that a fight broke out between the couple in October 2018 during which he kicked her as she lay in bed in the early hours.

Mrs Jones fled to the kitchen followed by her husband and in the ensuing scuffle she stabbed him with a knife.

The couple had married in 2001 and had moved permanently to Langkawi in 2005.