A Jamaican drug dealer in Britain is appealing her deportation on the grounds it will violate her human rights as a lesbian.

The woman argues she will be persecuted for her homosexuality if she is returned to Jamaica at the end of her sentence.

She had a boyfriend before her conviction for supplying class-A drugs, but has since had several same-sex lovers in prison.

The Court of Appeal in Britain on Tuesday heard that the woman, whose name was not released, wants to stay in the United Kingdom where she says she has found love with a fellow inmate.

But the Home Office has refused to accept the relationship as genuine.

It said it was a ruse to get her deportation order returned.

The case is to be sent to an appeal tribunal.