THE step-dad of a Tranent man jailed in Corfu after being found with a cannabis grinder in Qatar has been released from hospital after having a heart attack.

Robert Young was taken from the Greek island to the country’s capital city, Athens, after falling ill earlier this month.

The 55-year-old had five stents fitted in hospital but has since been released and is back in Corfu.

It is thought the stress of step-son Conor Howard’s time in prison and the ongoing legal fight were factors leading to Robert, who works for the NHS, taking unwell.

Radha Stirling, founder and CEO of Detained in Dubai, took to social media to wish Mr Young a speedy recover.

She said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with Conor Howard’s family.

“Sadly, with all of the undue stress of the past six weeks over Conor’s arrest in Greece and extradition proceedings, his father Robert has suffered a heart attack and was transferred from Corfu to Athens.

“Robert has been an amazingly strong person and a pleasure for me to work with.

“I am sure he will recover well and I will keep you posted.

“In the meantime, please keep the Howard family in your thoughts.”

Conor was released from jail by Greek judges last month, weeks after he arrived on the island.

The 27-year-old was taken into custody over an outstanding warrant relating to an empty cannabis grinder found in his bag nearly a year ago when he stopped off in Qatar.

The project manager had been returning from working in Australia when he was stopped in the Gulf state.

Family thought the matter was dealt with and it was only when Conor was heading out to visit his mum Adele and his step-dad that he became aware of an international arrest warrant out for him.

That saw him put in a jail in Corfu before bail was granted, with the condition he did not leave the country.

His step-sister Lauren Young, who lives in Wallyford, said it had been a stressful time for the entire family but was pleased to say her dad was now out of hospital.

She said: “That has just been another worry but my dad is fine now and Conor is out of jail at the moment.

“As much as it is not sorted, it is a better position than we were in previously.”

The medical bills have added to the family’s ongoing expenses.

Conor is due to return to court on November 4, with the family hoping they could then be allowed to return home to East Lothian.

Lauren said: “What we are hoping for is if Greece has not heard anything back from Qatar that hopefully it gets annulled and then they can come home.

“I don’t think that gets rid of the warrant, though.”

Throughout the ordeal, the family has been in touch with Kenny MacAskill, MP for East Lothian.

The politician said: “It is frustrating and frightening, and understandable the stress and ill health it’s causing.

“We’ve been trying to contact the UK Ambassador in Qatar but without success at the moment.

“It’s simply unacceptable and I’m complaining to the Minister.

“The British Government must do more for a citizen and his family stuck abroad through no fault of their own.

“This must be capable of resolution and the Foreign Office need to up their game.”

Friends of Conor set up an online fundraising page last month, urging people to support the family with the spiralling legal costs.

Already, the page has collected more than £16,000 to help the former Ross High School pupil.

For more information and to donate, go to gofundme.com/f/free-conor-howard