GILLIAN GIBBONS was ‘excited’ about her new life abroad when she quit teaching in Liverpool last year, friends have said.

Former colleague Gill Langworthy said today: “I saw her in July and had farewell drinks and she was so excited about going.

“Since then we have been in email contact at least once a week.

“Last week she sent one with pictures of her sitting on a camel and a beach, loving it, she felt so welcomed and loved teaching the children.”

Miss Langworthy, who taught with Ms Gibbons at Garston Primary School in Liverpool, said teaching abroad had always been her friend's dream.

But she fears for her safety and thinks the experience will have damaged her deeply.

She said: “I am constantly worried, and thinking about her sitting in the prison cell is horrible.

“When we emailed, she never mentioned a thing about any problems and only said positive things about the staff and children because I asked her.

“She was just having a great time and said nothing negative at all.”

Miss Langworthy, an assistant headteacher, said her friend had endured a tough few years with the end of her marriage and several bereavements.

She said: “She will be absolutely petrified about her children John and Jessica and how they are coping and what they are thinking. She’ll be more worried about them.

“But obviously, she will be scared for her own safety.”

Speaking of Ms Gibbons' desire to see the world, she added: ``It was always a dream of hers. Gillian is such a traveller and wanted to increase her knowledge of different cultures and countries and every year would go on mad explorations

“She always said she fancied teaching abroad.

“She was just fascinated by Sudan and wanted to learn more about their culture and experience life there - which is just Gillian down to a T.

“I think this will knock her confidence horrendously. I am really worried about how it will affect her.

“She has had the most horrendous few years with bereavements but Gill is an amazing survivor.

“This was supposed to be a fresh start for her but it’s just ended like this.

“I want her happy, healthy, returning to her home, but she has a fighting spirit.”

Miss Langworthy said her “inspirational teacher” friend would be “devastated that she has insulted anyone.