Elderly British couple’s Thailand nightmare goes from bad to cell
An elderly British couple face time in a Thailand jail despite being victims of a savage beating, caught on CCTV, in their own back yard. One of the victims described the past year as a “living hell.”
The couple, Des and Mary Byrne, from Middlesbrough, in the North-East of England, envisioned a peaceful retirement on the “Thai Riviera,” but their dream was shattered by a land dispute and a vicious assault that has turned their lives upside down.
The couple moved to Thailand in 2020 after saving enough to build their dream villa.
Their ordeal began in December 2023 when a commotion in their garden drew them outside. There, 77 year old Des revealed they found a hostile couple, reportedly in their 40s and trained in Thai boxing, ripping up plants, in his garden.
“We told them to leave, but instead, we were attacked.”
The male attacker, reportedly from the UK, mercilessly beat Des, knocking him out cold and delivering over 20 blows while he was defenceless on the ground. Meanwhile, the British man’s Thai partner, a woman, targeted 69 year old Mary, punching and kicking her until she fell into a flower bed, where she was allegedly stamped on. The attack left them with severe injuries, including reduced heart function for Mary.
Initially, their attackers were arrested and, after first denying the charges, reportedly pleaded guilty in August, agreeing to pay compensation. However, the Byrnes’ situation took a shocking turn when 15 police officers raided their home and arrested them on counter charges of causing “superficial injuries and mental anguish.”
Retired chemical engineer Des and retired nurse Mary, who only retired after working on the front line of the Covid pandemic, now face a court date on Wednesday, March 12. They have been warned that prison is a likely outcome, said Mary.
“We’re trapped here, prisoners without anyone able to help. It’s clear we’re the victims, but now we’re being brought in front of a court. It’s terrifying.”
Des echoed his wife’s cries for justice.
“The police weren’t interested after we were attacked. We tried to file a report, but they didn’t accept our complaint.”
Family members have been tirelessly campaigning for intervention from the British Government, with appeals made to various politicians, including David Cameron and his Labour successor in the Foreign Office, David Lammy, reported Teeside Live. Yet, the couple remains in limbo, fearing what lies ahead.
Mary’s brother, Tim Maley, expressed his frustration.
“They desperately need help, and we’re appealing to David Lammy to urgently intervene. They were the victims of an absolutely vicious assault and now face the very real risk of being sent to jail over it. If nothing is done, we’re witnessing a terrible miscarriage of justice against two good people who have done nothing wrong.”
With no end in sight, the Byrnes have poured every penny into clearing their names, even selling their villa in Hua Hin in a desperate attempt to fund their defence.
Their families back in the UK are distraught, wishing only for their safe return, but they recognise that without significant help from the British government, the future looks bleak for the Byrnes, who have seen their dreams of paradise turn into a nightmarish reality.
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