The wife of bungling spy Ian Parr today spoke of her anguish after he was jailed for ten years.

Parr, of Tylney Avenue, Rochford, worked at BAE Systems in Basildon. He pleaded guilty to obtaining information prejudicial to the safety or interests of the state.

Christine Parr who has two sons, said: "I am relieved it's over but disappointed at the length of the sentence."

Mrs Parr said her husband had been under pressure.

She said: "In court, all the facts came out about why he flipped so I thought the judge would have been more lenient.

"But he said it was a grave offence and he couldn't take personal circumstances into account. Ian always has to put 100 per cent into everything. He put everything into his work but then unfortunately he put everything into this."

Published Monday, April 7 , 2003

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