PATTAYA, Thailand – A holiday nightmare for a Scottish tourist. Rory McColl, 37, flew to Thailand for 12 days of beach and sunshine but now faces up to three years in prison after an alleged phone theft on his first evening.
Urlaubstraum wird zum Albtraum!
Rory McColl from Edinburgh had just landed in Bangkok. He looked forward to twelve days of beach, sun and fun. But on the first evening, in a bar on the famous Khao San Road, the mishap occurred.
McColl picked up a phone – he thought it was his. But the device belonged to a different woman. The bar called the police. Rory spent two nights in a cell, then was released on bail of about 1,000 pounds. His passport? Confiscated.
Handy verwechselt – jetzt droht Knast!
Thai police accuse him of theft at night. The law prescribes one to five years in prison. Rory’s lawyer expects up to three years. The trial is scheduled to begin on April 28.
McColl insists it was a mistake. He says he even contacted the woman and explained the mix-up. An email is said to prove that. But the woman no longer replies. Police say there is no indication of an accident – the charge remains.
Eltern schockiert: „Zelle war grauenhaft!“
Helen and John McColl fear for their son. They speak daily via FaceTime with him. Rory told them about the dreadful cell:
“I slept on bare concrete, a plastic bottle as a pillow.”
Now the 37-year-old is stuck in a hotel in Pattaya. He barely dares to go out. Only short walks he ventures. The uncertainty grates on his nerves.
Anwalt abgezockt? Familie befürchtet Betrug!
In custody, a man suddenly appeared who claimed to be a lawyer. Rory paid him money twice. The family’s real lawyer says that was most likely a fraudster. The fake lawyer gave contradictory advice and never really helped.
The parents became suspicious. Now a real lawyer represents Rory. The case has long been with the public prosecutor.
Zitterpartie vor Gericht
Rory hopes to be allowed home soon. But he knows: the court decides. The British Foreign Office confirms it is looking after a British national in Thailand and is in contact with the authorities.
Until the trial, Rory remains in Pattaya. Each day a torment. His parents pray for a lenient verdict.
Deine Meinung
Should a harmless tourist be sent to prison for three years for accidentally picking up the wrong phone?
Tell us your opinion – write it in the comments!