KENNY Richey, the British man who spent 21 years on death row in the USA, has been diagnosed with mouth cancer, it was reported today.

KENNY Richey, the British man who spent 21 years on death row in the USA, has been diagnosed with mouth cancer, it was reported today.

The 43 year-old, who was released from jail last year, told the Scottish Sun: “When my specialist told me the tests were positive I just broke down in tears.

"I had tried to prepare myself for the worst but actually hearing the news was just devastating.

"After spending 21 hellish years in prison I thought I had been given another chance at life."

Richey is due to have a malignant growth on the inside of his cheek removed next week.

He will then undergo a course of radiotherapy

Richey left Scotland at the age of 18 to go and live with his father in Ohio.

The former marine was put on death row in January 1987 after being convicted of an arson attack in which a two-year-old girl died. Richey has always protested his innocence.

He was freed after reaching a plea deal last year with American prosecutors, and has been back in Britain since January.

On his release, Richey, who once came within an hour of execution, was told to stay out of Putney County in Ohio for five years.

He is, however, free to visit other parts of the country and had ben planning to visit his son and grandchildren, who live in Minnesota.