WA man jailed for stabbing attack on brother in Thailand
A Perth man who stabbed his brother after an argument in Thailand has become the first Australian to be convicted of causing harm to another Australian overseas.
The man was sentenced in the Perth District Court on Wednesday to a maximum of seven years’ imprisonment, with a non-parole period of five years.
The man is arrested by AFP officers. Australian Federal Police
Now aged 50, the Perth man was living in Thailand when he attacked his older brother with bladed knuckle dusters in February 2019, during that brother’s visit to the country.
The attack left the injured brother with multiple stab wounds requiring emergency surgery to repair and remove damaged internal organs.
The AFP investigated the attack – with the assistance of the Royal Thai Police – after the victim returned to Australia and reported the assault in October 2019.
The brothers had argued late one evening while refurbishing a bar the accused man was planning to open in the city of Pattaya.
Early the next morning, after they returned to the accused man’s home, the accused forced his way into a bedroom and stabbed his brother multiple times with the bladed knuckle dusters.
The accused brother returned to Australia in late 2019, and he was charged by the AFP in August, 2020.
He later pleaded guilty to one count of intentionally causing serious harm to an Australian citizen or resident outside Australia.
AFP Detective Superintendent Peter Chwal said this case was testament to the strength of the AFP's partnerships and global network.
“International matters involving Australians can be complex and difficult to investigate, but in this matter, the AFP was able to collaborate with the Royal Thai Police to achieve this outcome," he said.
“We would like to thank the Royal Thai Police for their assistance in obtaining evidence to facilitate the successful prosecution back here in Australia.
“This was a particularly violent attack, and the victim underwent emergency surgery. If the man hadn’t received that urgent treatment, he likely would have died."
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