British Couple Threatened with Imprisonment After Assault in Thailand

Des and Mary Byrne, a British couple in Thailand, are facing imprisonment after being assaulted by two alleged Thai boxers. Despite being victims, they have been arrested on counter charges and are preparing for a court appearance. Their family is seeking government intervention, citing a potential miscarriage of justice as the couple’s legal battle continues.

Des and Mary Byrne, a couple from Middlesbrough, are facing the threat of imprisonment in Thailand after being victims of a brutal assault. They moved to Thailand in 2020 to retire in a luxury villa, but a property dispute turned their dream into a nightmare. In December 2023, they confronted a pair of individuals damaging their garden, alleged to be skilled Thai boxers, which led to their brutal attack captured on CCTV.

During the confrontation, Mr. Byrne was assaulted by the male attacker, believed to be from the UK, leading to severe injuries, including losing consciousness after being struck 22 times. Mrs. Byrne was also viciously attacked by the woman, suffering injuries that reportedly affected her heart function. Originally, the Byrnes expected justice as their assailants pleaded guilty and were ordered to pay compensation, but the situation took an alarming turn.

Instead of receiving protection, the Byrnes found themselves arrested on counter charges of inflicting “superficial injuries and mental anguish.” Now, they are preparing for a court appearance on March 12, fearing a prison sentence. This couple, who have spent their savings fighting for their innocence, have had to sell their villa and express feeling trapped in their legal ordeal.

Mrs. Byrne described their plight, stating they feel like prisoners in an unhelpful and frightening environment. Mr. Byrne voiced concern over initial disinterest from local authorities following their assault, making the process of formally reporting the incident incredibly challenging.

In a shocking development last July, the couple faced prosecution despite being assaulted. Their family in the UK has sought help from authorities, including appeals to David Cameron and Labour’s David Lammy, to address what they claim is a miscarriage of justice.

Mrs. Byrne’s brother emphasized the need for urgent action, appealing for intervention to prevent their incarceration.
He expressed the family’s distress, stating, “They have been the victims of an absolutely vicious assault and now they find themselves at the very real risk of being sent to jail over it.” As the situation unfolds, the Byrnes and their family remain desperate for justice and assistance from the government.

The plight of Des and Mary Byrne highlights a troubling case of alleged legal injustice following a brutal assault in Thailand. Despite being victims, they find themselves facing serious charges that could lead to imprisonment. Their experience underlines the challenges faced by expatriates in legal systems outside their home country and the urgent need for intervention from UK authorities to rectify what could be a miscarriage of justice.

Original Source: www.express.co.uk