British Couple Faces Imprisonment in Thailand Despite Being Assault Victims
Des and Mary Byrne, a British couple in Thailand, were convicted despite being the victims of an attack captured on CCTV. Facing charges of causing injuries after being viciously assaulted, they now risk imprisonment. Family and supporters are appealing to the British government for help, fearing a miscarriage of justice.
A British couple, Des and Mary Byrne, residing in Thailand, have recently been convicted despite being attacked first, as evidenced by CCTV footage. Their conviction stems from allegations of causing “superficial injuries and mental anguish,” leaving them fearing imprisonment, according to Mary’s brother, Tim Maley. The couple moved to Thailand in 2020, hoping for a peaceful retirement, but instead became embroiled in a violent dispute regarding land access.
In December 2023, the Byrnes witnessed a disturbance in their garden, where they confronted two individuals purportedly trained in Thai boxing who were damaging their property. Following their confrontation, Mr. Byrne was viciously assaulted, suffering a total of 22 strikes while unconscious, while Mrs. Byrne was also physically attacked, suffering significant injuries that have negatively impacted her health.
Initially, their attackers were arrested for the assault but later changed their plea to guilty, resulting in a compensation order. However, the situation worsened when the Byrnes were charged with counter-allegations of causing injuries. Now, facing potential imprisonment after all their efforts to clear their names, the retired couple has sold their villa to pay for legal assistance.
Mrs. Byrne expressed the couple’s despair: “All we want is to come home but we are trapped here, we are prisoners.” Meanwhile, Mr. Byrne criticized the local police, stating that they were uninterested in their original complaint after the attack. Family members have since sought help from British officials, including appeals to former Prime Minister David Cameron and the current Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, to intervene on behalf of the Byrnes, who are at risk of a serious miscarriage of justice.
The case of Des and Mary Byrne highlights serious concerns regarding justice and victim rights in Thailand. Despite being assaulted, the couple faces potential imprisonment, underscoring a distressing twist in their pursuit of safety and justice abroad. Their family’s ongoing appeals for governmental intervention reflect the urgency and gravity of their situation, illustrating the need for protection and support for victims of violence.
Original Source: www.mirror.co.uk
