British Pensioners Face Imprisonment in Thailand Following Vicious Attack
Des and Mary Byrne, British retirees in Thailand, were violently attacked and now face jail time after their attackers accused them of causing ‘mental anguish.’ The incident escalated from a land dispute, resulting in severe injuries for both individuals. Despite being victims, the couple now finds themselves embroiled in a complex legal battle in Thailand, compounded by financial strain and fears regarding their return to the UK.
Des and Mary Byrne, a British couple living in Hua Hin, Thailand, face possible imprisonment following a violent attack they suffered at the hands of their neighbors. The incident occurred in December 2023 when the couple confronted two individuals disrupting their garden, resulting in a brutal assault that left them seriously injured, including Mr. Byrne who was knocked unconscious.
Despite being victims, the Byrnes were later arrested after the attackers accused them of causing ‘mental anguish.’ This shocking twist has escalated their nightmare, as they now face a court appearance with the looming threat of jail time.
The Byrnes moved to Thailand in 2021, investing their savings into a villa. However, the dispute over land access quickly spiraled into violence. In May 2024, their attackers initially denied charges but later pled guilty, only for the Byrnes to be arrested weeks later.
Their injuries include Mr. Byrne suffering multiple blows while unconscious, and Mrs. Byrne enduring a broken nose, brain bleeding, and heart issues. Following the incident, their passports were confiscated, and they have had to relocate for safety.
Attempts by their family to seek government intervention have been met with limitations, as the Foreign Office maintains that it cannot interfere in Thai legal matters. The Byrnes have exhausted their savings in efforts to clear their names and express a desperate wish to return home, feeling trapped in a foreign judicial system that appears unjust.
Currently living out of temporary accommodations, they face a court date while struggling for support back home. The political push by MP Rupa Huq highlights the urgency of their situation, as the couple yearns for a resolution that allows them to return to the UK.
The case of Des and Mary Byrne underscores the complexities faced by expatriates in foreign legal systems, particularly regarding the protection of victims. Facing unjust accusations and deteriorating health conditions, the couple’s situation raises questions about diplomatic intervention and the safety of retirees abroad.
Original Source: www.dailymail.co.uk
