Teesside Couple Faces Imprisonment in Thailand after Brutal Assault Incident

Des and Mary Byrne, a couple from Teesside residing in Thailand, face potential imprisonment after being brutally assaulted. Despite being the victims in this incident, the local authorities have charged them with counterclaims that threaten their freedom. Efforts to secure help from the British government remain ongoing amid fears of miscarriage of justice.

A couple from Teesside, Des and Mary Byrne, who relocated to Thailand in pursuit of retirement bliss, are now facing potential imprisonment despite being victims of a brutal physical assault. The Byrnes settled in a villa on the Thai Riviera; however, their dreams turned into a nightmare after a dispute over land access escalated.

In December 2023, upon hearing a disturbance in their garden, the couple confronted two individuals, a male believed to be from the UK and his Thai partner, who were damaging their property. A violent confrontation ensued, wherein Mr. Byrne was knocked unconscious and sustained severe injuries, receiving 22 strikes while on the ground. Mrs. Byrne was also attacked, suffering multiple wounds and a serious decline in her heart function as a result.

Despite their attackers initially pleading not guilty, they later accepted responsibility and were ordered to compensate the Byrnes. In an unexpected and troubling development, the Thai authorities arrested the Byrnes on countercharges of causing superficial injuries and mental anguish. The elderly couple, now facing trial, has expressed their fears of being unjustly imprisoned.

Struggling to clear their names, the Byrnes have liquidated their assets, including their villa in Hua Hin, in pursuit of justice. Mrs. Byrne articulated their desperate situation, stating, “We are trapped here, we are prisoners… it is clear to anyone we are the victims”. Furthermore, they have received minimal support from the local police, who reportedly showed little interest in their initial reports of the assault.

The Byrnes’ family in the UK has been advocating for governmental intervention, appealing to both former Prime Minister David Cameron and current Foreign Secretary David Lammy, underscoring the urgent need to address what they perceive as a severe miscarriage of justice. Tim Maley, Mrs. Byrne’s brother, emphasized the dire need for assistance, stating, “They have been the victims of an absolutely vicious assault… If nothing is done we are looking at a terrible miscarriage of justice”.

The case of Des and Mary Byrne reveals significant concerns regarding justice and victim support in foreign jurisdictions. Their harrowing experience illustrates the complexities that can arise for foreign nationals after victimization when local laws and enforcement practices appear insufficient. Seeking justice has become an arduous struggle, prompting their families to call for governmental intervention to avert a possible miscarriage of justice against innocent victims.

Original Source: www.gazettelive.co.uk