A MONMOUTH woman who was held in a Portuguese prison for more than three months was due to appear in court today.

Sophie Grey is on trial along with her boyfriend and another man after arrests in connection with an alleged assault on a police officer in April.

The 25-year-old was released from prison last month, but her bail conditions mean she has not been allowed to return to the UK.

Her father, Roger Grey, said solicitors are confident his daughter will be found innocent.

He said: “She has been charged with assault.

“They are saying she hit a police officer. The charge states she hit him repeatedly causing him discomfort, which she denies.”

Mr Grey said there is also a charge relating to Ms Grey’s dog biting a police officer, which she denies.

He said she was arrested after an altercation broke out between a police officer, her boyfriend and another man, who are standing trial alongside her.

Mr Grey said his daughter was not present at the time of the fight.

He said she was "in shock" by the situation when she discovered her boyfriend and the other man being detained.

“I spoke to her last night (Thursday),” added Mr Grey.

“She is a bit apprehensive about the trial but she is coping with it.

“Once the court case is over, hopefully she will be able to come back.”

After her release from prison last month, Ms Grey stayed in a rented house in Portugal.

Her bail conditions allowed her to travel to any of the Schengen Area Countries which do not include the UK.

It came after Monmouth MP David Davies intervened by asking UK officials and Boris Johnson to look into the case.

Monmouth MP David Davies previously said he was ‘outraged’ by the situation as Ms Grey was left imprisoned “alongside murderers and drug smugglers” with little idea of her exact charge.

Speaking yesterday, Mr Davies said: "I am delighted that the trial is underway and I very much hope she will be home safely with her family shortly."

The trial, taking place at a court in Sintra, Portugal, started today and will hear from several prosecution and defence witnesses.

Defence witnesses, including the father of Ms Grey, will give evidence from Monday, October 2, with the trial expected to conclude shortly after.