British couple attacked in Thailand found guilty of injuring neighbours: ‘horrible ordeal’

A British couple settled in Thailand for retirement were found guilty of injuring their neighbours, despite being victims of physical aggression.

A local court in Hua Hin, Thailand, on Wednesday convicted 77-year-old Desmond Byrne and his 69-year-old wife Mary of causing superficial injuries and mental anguish to their neighbours.

They were also accused of contempt of court as they had shared their experience to the media while the proceedings were ongoing, an allegation they denied.

The couple from Middlesbrough in eastern England was handed a 20-day suspended jail term and a fine of 17,500 baht (US$520). They could reportedly pick up their passports and return to the United Kingdom after paying the fine on Thursday.

“Our idyllic retirement in paradise has landed us in a living hell,” Mary told The Sun, a British tabloid.

The Byrnes moved to Thailand in 2021 and bought a villa in Hua Hin, some 2½ hours’ drive from the capital Bangkok, at the price of £200,000 (US$258,585).