Stowaways woman jailed

Security at Calais has been increased

A pregnant woman has been jailed for three months after being found guilty of attempting to smuggle illegal immigrants into Britain in the boot of her car.

Sheena Tuckfield's 15-year-old daughter has returned home after spending Christmas in the care of French social services.

The pair, from Mottingham in south London, had gone to France on a day trip just before Christmas.

As they waited to board a ferry back from Calais, the authorities became suspicious.

I am really going to miss my mum. I haven't spoken to her since she was arrested

Sheena Tuckfield's daughter Danielle

They found two Pakistanis stowed away in the rear of her vehicle.

On Tuesday, a French magistrate found Tuckfield, 37, guilty and sentenced her to three months in prison.

She was also banned from entering France for the next three years.

Her daughter Danielle was taken into care last Thursday.

Reported missing

Three days later Danielle's grandmother Marion Rowland, 54, discovered what had happened after the pair were reported missing to police.

Danielle was collected in Boulogne on Tuesday by Ms Rowland, who said: "I am so relieved. She is in the same clothes she was wearing on Thursday.

Sheena Tuckfield was returning to the UK

"It is shocking what has happened to her mother and Danielle is now very quiet. I do not think it has really sunk in and she is very sad."

Danielle said: "I am really going to miss my mum. I haven't spoken to her since she was arrested.

"But I am glad to be going home. It was okay in the hostel but I can only speak a little bit of French."

Sheena Tuckfield is married to a 25-year-old Sri Lankan man and also has a 14-year-old daughter, Christina.

The BBC's Paris correspondent, Jon Sopel, said security had been intensified at French ports by the ferry companies and the French police in recent weeks.

The increased checks are an attempt to deal with the huge problem of illegal immigrants trying to enter Britain.