Aussie Woman Jailed For False Sexual Assault Report In Phuket

[webfact]

Aussie woman jailed for false sexual assault report in Phuket

Phuket Gazette

Police are charging an Australian woman for filing a false report of being raped. Photo: Golf Thairath

PHUKET: -- Phuket Provincial Court today sentenced a 21-year-old Australian woman to 15 days in jail for falsely reporting that she was raped in Patong on Sunday.

In her report to Patong Police, 21-year-old Stevie Rochelle Bamford claimed she was attacked by three men while taking a tuk-tuk back to her hotel at about 2am.

However, CCTV footage taken at the end of Soi Bangla shows the woman leaving the area on a motorbike taxi at about 3am on Sunday.

“The Australian confessed to the police last night that she had lied about being raped,” said Patong Police Superintendent Sermphan Sirikong.

While the motive behind the false report remains unclear, it appears to involve a dispute between Ms Bamford and her boyfriend.

“She and her boyfriend had an argument that night,” Col Sermphan said.

The motorbike driver who took Ms Bamford to her room was questioned by Patong Police.

He explained that he escorted her to her room so she could get money to pay him. While she got the money, he noticed that broken items were scattered around the room.

Col Sermphan expressed his concern that this “false report” had already damaged Phuket’s tourism image.

As the time this story was posted online, Ms Bamford was still at Phuket Court, where she was receiving assistance from the Australian honorary consul to Phuket Larry Cunningham.

It is not known whether or not she requested bail, but Phuket Immigration Police were already preparing documents to arrange for her deportation from Thailand.

Source: http://www.phuketgaz...ticle16190.html

-- Phuket Gazette 2012-06-15

[TommoPhysicist]

15 days seems a very lenient sentence for such a serious false accusation against 3 Thai men.

[DaamNaam]

Nut job.

[edwinclapham]

She has brought a few Thai men into disrepute. It must be horrendous being questioned by the Police for something unfounded.

She has brought her country into disrepute, hence I am looking forward to seeing her name in the Media in Australia tomorrow.

She is a danger to mankind, and I hope she is given a very wide berth on her home territory.

She has abused man hours from her embassy and the Thai police.

She has done nothing for her own gender.

I hope she suffers for a very long time.

[sportsman69]

Would have better for all for her to have entered on her Brit passport or better still not entered at all. Feel sorry for good guys like Larry Cunningham, who have enough on their plate helping people with real problems, Instead of being obligated, by being a real Aussie, and helping Bogan scum such as this. No help to the the police involved who are trying to solve real crimes either

Accusing 3 men of rape is not a small deal. Should have been given 15 months and let the word spread back home.

[edwinclapham]

Would have better for all for her to have entered on her Brit passport or better still not entered at all. Feel sorry for good guys like Larry Cunningham, who have enough on their plate helping people with real problems, Instead of being obligated, by being a real Aussie, and helping Bogan scum such as this. No help to the the police involved who are trying to solve real crimes either

Accusing 3 men of rape is not a small deal. Should have been given 15 months and let the word spread back home.

You are quite correct Larry is an absolutely wonderful ambassador for Australia, works tirelessly and this must have caused him immense embarrassment.

I would have pressed for compo for the accused men also...

[uty6543]

15 days seems a very lenient sentence for such a serious false accusation against 3 Thai men.

The crime of rape is sometimes very hard to prove but in a case where a woman "beyond all reasonable doubt" makes a false allegation of rape she should receive the same sentence as the men she has falsely accuses would have got plus pay substantial damages to the accused if she has named or identified them.

[yummypizza]

Would have better for all for her to have entered on her Brit passport or better still not entered at all. Feel sorry for good guys like Larry Cunningham, who have enough on their plate helping people with real problems, Instead of being obligated, by being a real Aussie, and helping Bogan scum such as this. No help to the the police involved who are trying to solve real crimes either

Accusing 3 men of rape is not a small deal. Should have been given 15 months and let the word spread back home.

You are quite correct Larry is an absolutely wonderful ambassador for Australia, works tirelessly and this must have caused him immense embarrassment.

I would have pressed for compo for the accused men also...

Hmmm, he lost face,let's hope he recovers....lol...I'm being ironic of course....the job is to assist where possible and i am sure he did that to his full capacity,bloody low blow coming from one of his own...

[hyperdimension]

What could have been the motive? It's not at all like a fraudulent insurance claim.

[stevenl]

What could have been the motive? It's not at all like a fraudulent insurance claim.

My guess would be: to hide from her boyfriend that she cheated on him.

[NomadJoe]

However, CCTV footage taken at the end of Soi Bangla shows the woman leaving the area on a motorbike taxi at about 3am on Sunday.

It's interesting that those Bangla road camera's only seem to work when they can be used to exonerate tuk tuk drivers.

[NamKangMan]

What could have been the motive? It's not at all like a fraudulent insurance claim.

Attention seeking - since her boyfriend's attention was "straying" once he discovered Bangla Road.

[HongKongPhooey]

^ Attention seeking or putting her boyfriend on a guilt trip. "I ended up getting raped because you had an argument with me". Despicable, and totally agree that the victims deserve compensation.

[Jimi007]

Col Sermphan expressed his concern that this “false report” had already damaged Phuket’s tourism image.

Huh, I guess the report of the German young woman being raped by a hotel clerk (who confessed to the rape to a judge) wouldn't damage Phuket's tourism image?

[HongKongPhooey]

That's different. One is deserved damage and one isn't!

[Xangsamhua]

She has brought her country into disrepute, hence I am looking forward to seeing her name in the Media in Australia tomorrow.

Only in the West Australian so far. http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/world/13961275/sydney-woman-jailed-over-false-claim/

[sportsman69]

Would have better for all for her to have entered on her Brit passport or better still not entered at all. Feel sorry for good guys like Larry Cunningham, who have enough on their plate helping people with real problems, Instead of being obligated, by being a real Aussie, and helping Bogan scum such as this. No help to the the police involved who are trying to solve real crimes either

Accusing 3 men of rape is not a small deal. Should have been given 15 months and let the word spread back home.

You are quite correct Larry is an absolutely wonderful ambassador for Australia, works tirelessly and this must have caused him immense embarrassment.

I would have pressed for compo for the accused men also...

Hmmm, he lost face,let's hope he recovers....lol...I'm being ironic of course....the job is to assist where possible and i am sure he did that to his full capacity,bloody low blow coming from one of his own...

This is not I feel a low blow from one of his own, if I can read between the lines it is from a Brit pretending to be a real Aussie, makes it even worse. Pretending to be a real Bogan and doing an excellent job. Makes the bar mat blonde haired bimbo look like an amateur. Larry is built of solid stuff, I don't think it will get to him throwing in the towel, just commenting he doesn't need shit like this.

[LivinginKata]

Last 3 posts; plus the post that started it, all removed - Off topic/members bickering.

// update - and another post removed.

[NamKangMan]

Would have better for all for her to have entered on her Brit passport or better still not entered at all. Feel sorry for good guys like Larry Cunningham, who have enough on their plate helping people with real problems, Instead of being obligated, by being a real Aussie, and helping Bogan scum such as this. No help to the the police involved who are trying to solve real crimes either

Accusing 3 men of rape is not a small deal. Should have been given 15 months and let the word spread back home.

You are quite correct Larry is an absolutely wonderful ambassador for Australia, works tirelessly and this must have caused him immense embarrassment.

I would have pressed for compo for the accused men also...

Isn't Larry in a paid position? I don't know much about his position/role, but if he is paid by the Australian Government, is he not obliged to help all Australian citizens here who require his assistance? After all, wouldn't that be his job, what he is being paid for?

If he is not in a paid position, where does he get the authority to act in these instances such as this?

I'm not having a go at him, perhaps I can be enlightened by other members on his "charter" or "job description."

[edwinclapham]

Would have better for all for her to have entered on her Brit passport or better still not entered at all. Feel sorry for good guys like Larry Cunningham, who have enough on their plate helping people with real problems, Instead of being obligated, by being a real Aussie, and helping Bogan scum such as this. No help to the the police involved who are trying to solve real crimes either

Accusing 3 men of rape is not a small deal. Should have been given 15 months and let the word spread back home.

You are quite correct Larry is an absolutely wonderful ambassador for Australia, works tirelessly and this must have caused him immense embarrassment.

I would have pressed for compo for the accused men also...

Isn't Larry in a paid position? I don't know much about his position/role, but if he is paid by the Australian Government, is he not obliged to help all Australian citizens here who require his assistance? After all, wouldn't that be his job, what he is being paid for?

If he is not in a paid position, where does he get the authority to act in these instances such as this?

I'm not having a go at him, perhaps I can be enlightened by other members on his "charter" or "job description."

Mr Larry Cunningham

Australian Honorary Consul

Whatever is employment status is, he is highly regarded and is excellent at his job.

[pipo1000]

That's different. One is deserved damage and one isn't!

So lets see:

Undeserved damage : lady who makes a false rape claim.

deserved damage. Jetski scam,Tuk tuks asking rip off prices,tuk tuk drivers beating up tourists, several rapes ( confessed) in the past few months,murder of tourists ,GF who steals all boyfriends possessions......and the list is much longer.

Sure the false claim of the lady will damage Phukets reputation unrepairable.

[NamKangMan]

Would have better for all for her to have entered on her Brit passport or better still not entered at all. Feel sorry for good guys like Larry Cunningham, who have enough on their plate helping people with real problems, Instead of being obligated, by being a real Aussie, and helping Bogan scum such as this. No help to the the police involved who are trying to solve real crimes either

Accusing 3 men of rape is not a small deal. Should have been given 15 months and let the word spread back home.

You are quite correct Larry is an absolutely wonderful ambassador for Australia, works tirelessly and this must have caused him immense embarrassment.

I would have pressed for compo for the accused men also...

Isn't Larry in a paid position? I don't know much about his position/role, but if he is paid by the Australian Government, is he not obliged to help all Australian citizens here who require his assistance? After all, wouldn't that be his job, what he is being paid for?

If he is not in a paid position, where does he get the authority to act in these instances such as this?

I'm not having a go at him, perhaps I can be enlightened by other members on his "charter" or "job description."

Mr Larry Cunningham

Australian Honorary Consul

Whatever is employment status is, he is highly regarded and is excellent at his job.

Edwin, your link sends me to his AUSTCHAM profile page. I'm not sure you are allowed to post such a link, so I will not post a link to AUSTCHAM's home page.

AUSTCHAM is an association/lobby group for Australian business people in Thailand.

Is this guy paid, or sanctioned by, the Australian Government to offer consular assistance to Australian citizens in Thailand????

Who is he highly regarded by and what job, exactly, is he excellent at doing????

Is he just a good smaritan?

I notice his business here on Phuket is Real Estate, which hardly inspires confidence.

In any case, this now reminds me of a very recent thread which ended up in a discussion about "naming and shaming" and certain people who "put forward" that they have the credibility to be able to do so.

Does this guy have the credentials to be able to offer assistance under these circumstances????

Once again, I am not "naming and shaming." I would just like to know under what authority this guy offers assistance to Australian citizens in need on Phuket.

Like the other thread mentioned, I would suggest anyone interested just google "AUSTCHAM" - you will then be directed to free and publically available information, which to my knowledge, has nothing to do with the Australian Embassy or Consulate.

[edwinclapham]

As I said Larry is an Honorary Consul. His expenses are paid, but I believe it is in the main an unpaid position.

He is authorised to issue passports or certainly replacement passports.

I think it is highly valuable to have someone such as Larry positioned in Phuket, it saves some considerable amount of time rather than going down to BKK.

I have had dealings with Larry over the Tsunami period, and together with a good few Australians we found his service and dedication impeccable.

I am not prepared to take this any further.

Australian Consulate

The Chava Resort

113 Moo 3

Tambon Cherngtalay

Thaland District

Phuket, THAILAND

http://www.thailand.embassy.gov.au/bkok/consular.html

[HongKongPhooey]

That's different. One is deserved damage and one isn't!

So lets see:

Undeserved damage : lady who makes a false rape claim.

deserved damage. Jetski scam,Tuk tuks asking rip off prices,tuk tuk drivers beating up tourists, several rapes ( confessed) in the past few months,murder of tourists ,GF who steals all boyfriends possessions......and the list is much longer.

Sure the false claim of the lady will damage Phukets reputation unrepairable.

There may well be more deserved damage than undeserved but that doesn't make the colonel's statement wrong in any way.

His statement isn't implying that there isn't deserved damage as well is it. One isn't negating the other as you another member implied so I'm not sure what your point is.

[LivinginKata]

Well, that's a little strange that he is the CEO of The Chava Resort which is also, supposedly, The Australian Consulate on Phuket.

Anyway, I'll make some enquiries of my own.

Nothing at all strange about that. It's an honorary position. I would expect he has his own business. Much the same as the UK Honorary Consulate Martin Carpenter who has his own business. These Hon Consulates have a very small stipend.

[sportsman69]

Well, that's a little strange that he is the CEO of The Chava Resort which is also, supposedly, The Australian Consulate on Phuket.

Anyway, I'll make some enquiries of my own.

Nothing at all strange about that. It's an honorary position. I would expect he has his own business. Much the same as the UK Honorary Consulate Martin Carpenter who has his own business. These Hon Consulates have a very small stipend.

+1

Another is the Honorary Irish Consul Ms Helene Fallon Wood a tireless social worker as well who also runs the consulate from her what I'm led to believe her own Villa business.in Rawai

[HongKongPhooey]

I thought most HC's were normally upstanding members of the community first before becming Hc's. I thought that was kind of the point. Having a business is an obvious part of being a part of the community. I fail to see 'nkm's' problem yet again.

[Guest]

I thought most HC's were normally upstanding members of the community first before becming Hc's. I thought that was kind of the point. Having a business is an obvious part of being a part of the community. I fail to see 'nkm's' problem yet again.

I agree with HKP. A person needs to have credits before getting HC status. And after he gets the HC he is much more vulnerable to public critics than before. Therefore he is less likely to take advance of the situation. This is for the countries which are not used to public corruption.

If an public player does a dodgy thing, that will be announced on newspapers back in motherland. That fear controls the actions of the servant.

[sbk]

Off topic post bordering on defamation removed as were responses to that topic.

A suggestion, do your research BEFORE making insinuations. And you might want to try using google to determine who and what an Honorary Consul is, they are, in fact, appointed by their govt and approved by the Prime Minister and HM the King. So next time, research BEFORE posting on something you know nothing about.

[Greer]

An Honorary Consul is just that - an honorary position which is basically unpaid - the reward primarily being in the honour of serving ones country, and yes they do recieve a certain very minimal payment for expenses etc. They have to support themselves.

If a person is given the title of Honorary Consul, it is an official position, ratified by the government of the country they represent, and to falsely claim to hold such a position would undoubtedly be punishable under law. The HC in Phuket is a well respected member of the community there, and obviously works hard to assist those in need of his help.

I am really not sure why his position and motives would be questioned, especially when it is recognised that he holds the position of HC, and this is obviously recognised by the Australian Embassy and the government of both Thailand and Australia.

Related to the real issue - the girl making the false claim - she has received the sentence of 15 days and deportation - do people not THINK about the consequences of their actions? Amazingly foolish...especially when travelling in Asia - its not a wise move to commit offences in foreign countries and hope to get away with it - it was a rash decision at the time perhaps, but the effects are there forever - deportation is a huge red flag to anyone in future if she applies for visas to travel elsewhere...

By the way - I do object to the post saying that she was pretending to be an Australian - if she really WAS pretending, I am sure she would be charged with using a false passport - as she wasn't, I can only assume that she was legally using an Australian passport.

The ONLY way to get a legitimate Australian passport is from the appropriate issuing authority in Australia, or an official Embassy (oh, or from certain specially authorised HC's such as Larry in Phuket). Australian passports are only issued to Australians - real ones - therefore, she must be a real Australian under the guidelines within which such passports are issued by the relevant authority - she must have been born there or she bacame a citizen via one of the officially recognised methods, and was officially sworn in and has been issued the cerificate of Australian Citizenship, so she is NOT pretending to be Australian, no matter where she was born - if she has fulfilled the statutory requirements laid down by the Australian Passport Office, then she IS Australian.

Yes, by the way, I am Australian by birth, and I know about the processes involved in obtaining Australian Citizenship because people I know well have been through it.