Teacher charged over teddy bear name (updated)

Lawyers representing British teacher Gillian Gibbons - who was jailed in Sudan yesterday after being convicted of insulting religion - say they will appeal the decision.

The 54-year-old was given a 15-day sentence for allowing her pupils to name a teddy bear Mohammed.

She will be deported after serving the jail term.

The British Foreign Secretary, David Milliband, has criticised the prison sentence. It is reported that high-level diplomatic negotiations are continuing between the two governments.

But Robert Boulos - the head of the Khartoum primary school in question - said the penalties could have been much worse if she had been convicted on two more serious charges.

A British school teacher in Sudan has been charged with insulting Islam and inciting religious hatred by allowing young children to name a teddy bear Mohammed.

Ms Gibbons may be flogged and jailed if convicted.

British Foreign Secretary David Miliband wants to see the Sudanese ambassador urgently over the decision to press charges.

Gillian Gibbons has been in custody for three days. She was arrested after parents complained that she was insulting the Muslim Prophet by allowing pupils to name the bear Mohammed.

Ms Gibbons has said she never meant to cause offence.

The sentence for publicly insulting or degrading any religion is up to six months in prison, 40 lashes and a fine.

Ms Gibbons, who is in her 50s and has two children, has told British officials that she is being treated well.