Southampton Graduate Sentenced in Malaysia

Southampton graduate Eleanor Hawkins has been given a three day jail sentence and fined by a Malaysian Court for “committing an obscene act in public”. She had already admitted that […]


Southampton graduate Eleanor Hawkins has been given a three day jail sentence and fined by a Malaysian Court for “committing an obscene act in public”.

Eleanor Hawkins moments before her arrest in Malaysia

She had already admitted that she was “stupid and disrespectful” for doing it, according to her father.

She was among a group of four who were prosecuted, and their sentences were back-dated to reflect the time they’d already served.

They were also cleared of telling their guide to “shut up” or “go to hell”.

She was sentenced along with two Canadians and a Dutchman.

Ellie and the other Westerners on the mountain

The judge at Kota Kinabalu Magistrate’s Court said the tourists had shown remorse, and the back dating of the sentence means that they’re free to leave.

The four were also all fined 5,000 Malaysian ringgit, equivalent to £860.

Their lawyer Ronny Cham said “their act and bought shame and ridicule upon themselves and their respective countries”.

Nick Green, owner of Clowns Bar, where Ellie worked while completing her Masters, described her as “a really lovely girl”.

The four are currently waiting to pay their fine before being deported.