DAD-TO-BE David Scott is on the run from the police in the Far East to protect his girlfriend and unborn child.

David, 35, of Walcot, was arrested in the Philippines on New Year's Eve for adultery.

David and his eight-month pregnant girlfriend, Cynthia Villamor, 27, were thrown into a cell because she is still married to the husband she left three years ago.

Terrified David and Filipino Cynthia spent three days in a tiny jail cell in Manila after police arrived at their home. They were told they would have to pay Cynthia's husband £7,000 for the charges to be dropped.

The couple were yesterday freed on a technicality because Filipino officials had the wrong name for David on the paper work, but Cynthia has been charged with cheating on her husband.

In spite of being advised to leave the country, David is determined to stay to support Cynthia and their baby.

Speaking on his mobile phone while in hiding with Cynthia's relatives, David said: "They had my name down as John Doe. But now they are trying to get my proper name and will try to arrest me as soon as they do.

"The solicitor said to me you can leave the country now and it is probably the safest thing to do'.

"But if leaving the country means leaving Cynthia and my unborn baby then I'm not going anywhere.

"At the moment we are in hiding. I'm just hoping the embassy or someone can help us out.

"I'm not asking for a freebie, I just want to bring my family back to England."

For David the one thing keeping him going is making sure Cynthia and the baby are safe.

"In the cell there were loads of rats and it was really cramped," he said.

"Cynthia was in pain and I wanted them to get a doctor to see her, but they just made her sign a form and said that proved she had seen a doctor even though no one looked at her.

"The whole time we were there I didn't sleep. I kept one eye open because I was so scared something would happen to her.

"I could go to jail for seven years, but all I'm worried about is making sure they are okay."

"We are in love and she has been separated from her husband for three years," said David.

"I just want to protect my family and don't know what to do."

A spokesman for the Foreign Office said: "A British national was arrested in what would have been the early hours of New Year's Eve UK time.

"We have visited him in prison and provided consul assistance to him and his family."