The daughter of an Oxford don stepped out of an Indian prison today, cleared of charges of drug possession for which she spent 586 days behind bars.

"It feels wonderful to be free again. It's like my birthday today. I feel like I'm born again to a new life," said Alexia Stewart, outside the jail superintendent's office in Panaji, Goa.

An appeal court yesterday ordered the release of Alexia, 29, and her boyfriend Gary Carter, 30, after lapses were found in the police investigation. Mr Carter is likely to spend a few more days in prison due to administrative problems.

The two were arrested 19 months ago when police said they found cannabis in their five-room rented cottage in Vagator village. "It's such a shame that Gary could not be released at the same time," Alexia said.

The couple had been sentenced to ten years' jail. But the court said they were to be given "the benefit of the doubt after the bench found it difficult to believe that the contraband was recovered from their possession". Alexia and Gary had earlier accused the police of planting the cannabis. Alexia's father, Phillip, who is director of humanities at St Anne's College, Oxford University, said she had stayed "far too long" in prison.

He watched his daughter as she completed formalities at Aguada Central Jail. The Stewarts will stay in Goa until an exit visa is arranged for Alexia.

"I spent my time in prison cleaning rice, making brooms out of palm leaves. In my free time I read a bit, wrote letters and practised a bit of yoga," said Alexia.

She said she slept on the floor until she found a sleeping bag someone had left behind.

She said she will continue teaching English as a foreign language once she is back in Britain.

Meanwhile, Champagne flowed at Alexia's home in Berkeley Road, Boar's Hill.

Her brother Christopher, 26, said today they had heard she had left the prison.

He thanked all those who had offered support while Alexia was in jail, including Oxford West and Abingdon Liberal Democrat MP Dr Evan Harris.

Story date: Wednesday 27 October

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.