Des and Mary Byrne, two British pensioners, were found guilty of assault in Thailand even though CCTV footage showed they were attacked. They received a 20-day suspended sentence and can retrieve their passports after paying a £400 fine. Their legal ordeal stemmed from a dispute with aggressive neighbors, leading to severe injuries during an ambush. Despite recent developments, they are relieved to return to the UK.
Two British pensioners, Des and Mary Byrne, have been found guilty of assault in Thailand despite compelling CCTV evidence that indicated they were the victims of an attack. The couple received a suspended 20-day sentence along with probation but avoided jail time, which allows them to reclaim their passports and return to the UK following the payment of a £400 fine.
The Byrnes expressed relief following the verdict, stating, “We are okay – despite being found guilty. There was a long period of investigation in court because it was said we had caused contempt of court due to the coverage of our case. We denied it. Tomorrow we can pick up our passports. We are extremely relieved. Thank you for all the love and support.”
Initially, their retirement plans in Thailand soured when they became embroiled in a dispute over land with aggressive neighbors. The couple faced serious injuries during an ambush related to this conflict, with Mary sustaining a broken nose and a brain bleed, and Des suffering severe head injuries after being struck multiple times.
Following a bitter legal battle, the Byrnes found themselves facing a reversal of the initial guilty verdicts against their assailants. Their neighbors, who boasted training in Thai kickboxing, had previously been convicted, yet the Byrnes were ultimately charged with causing injury to them instead, a situation aggravated by their refusal to pay a bribe.
The Byrnes had moved to a retirement villa in Hua Hin, hoping for a peaceful life, only to be confronted with development disputes over the access road to their property. As tensions escalated, they found themselves attacked during an investigation into alleged harassment by their neighbors. Support from family and political figures back in the UK has underscored the distressing nature of the Byrnes’ situation, prompting calls for assistance from their representatives in Parliament.
In conclusion, the case of Des and Mary Byrne highlights significant issues surrounding legal justice for expatriates in foreign countries. Despite being attacked, the couple ended up being labeled as offenders, and their experience underscores the complexities of navigating legal systems abroad. Ultimately, they are relieved to move past this ordeal and return home after significant challenges.
Original Source: www.thesun.co.uk
