Briton Lee Aldhouse Pleads Not Guilty To Phuket Murder

[george]

"PITBULL" IN PHUKET COURT

Aldhouse pleads not guilty to Phuket murder

Lee Aldhouse arrives back in Phuket on December 1 after his extradition from the UK.

PHUKET: -- Briton Lee Aldhouse, accused of murdering a former US Marine in Phuket in August 2010, pleaded not guilty today before Judge Piyawut Kleuajan in the Phuket Provincial Court.

Wearing fetters on his legs and clad in brown prison shorts and shirt, Aldhouse – who fought in the newsjs Thai boxing ring under the name “Pitbull” – appeared nervous at first as a court interpreter translated the proceedings.

Judge Piyawut first asked Aldhouse and a representative of his lawyer (the lawyer was not in court) to introduce themselves.

The representative – not a lawyer herself – said that the lawyer was caught up in another case, but had asked her to tell the court that Aldhouse was suffering from an illness and that a doctor’s certificate to confirm this would be presented to the court at a later date.

She said that the lawyer had requested that the court take this into consideration when deciding on any sentence for Aldhouse.

The judge then read out the single charge of murder, and asked Aldhouse, “Do you accept this or not?” Aldhouse replied quietly, “Yes”.

However, as the judge read out the prosecution’s account of the night of the murder, Aldhouse, shaking his head, denied that this was how the killing had taken place. “That’s not the way it happened,” he told the judge.

He said that he had been advised to plead guilty, and was afraid to go up against the court. However, the judge told him that if he had not intended to kill Mr Longfellow, he should plead not guilty, and fight the charge.

A temporary defence lawyer appointed by the judge asked Aldhouse whether he had any evidence he could produce in his defence. Aldhouse said that CCTV footage taken in the 7-Eleven where he had taken two knives, along with the testimony of his girlfriend, could be used in his defence.

Aldhouse also gave the court his own version of the events leading up to the killing.

He said that on the night of the killing he had been attacked by a group who had beaten him up, damaging his teeth, chin and face. He added that because he was drunk at the time he did not recognise them.

Fearing for his life, he ran into a nearby 7-Eleven and asked for a knife. The staff threw two knives onto the floor, which he picked up. He only wanted to protect himself, he said.

He said that he was outside Mr Longfellow’s accommodation because he was looking for his dog, which had gone missing. He heard somebody talking and then someone grabbed him from behind.

He was shocked, and in reaction, jabbed behind himself with “the knife”, twice.

He said he really did not know at the time who had grabbed him. The attacker let go of him and he turned to see who it was. The stabbed man saw his own blood flowing and run into the building.

The judge asked again for him to plead to the charge of murder. He replied that he was no guilty.

The trial was adjourned until a date to be fixed, at which the first of the prosecution witnesses will be examined.

Aldhouse made no request for bail and was remanded in custody at Phuket Provincial Prison.

The hearing of the case has been delayed because after the killing Aldhouse fled to Britain, where he was arrested on an unrelated charge. After completing the sentence for that crime, he was rearrested because Thailand had applied for his extradition.

After months of hearings he was finally sent back to Thailand, arriving under escort on December 1 last year.

-- The Phuket News 2013-02-18

[tonymontana32]

Enjoy your fish head soup Lee

[Andre0720]

Next he will say he was not there at the time.....

[Jimi007]

He said that he was outside Mr Longfellow’s accommodation because he was looking for his dog, which had gone missing. He heard somebody talking and then someone grabbed him from behind. He was shocked, and in reaction, jabbed behind himself with “the knife”, twice.

Really, went looking for his dog at Mr. Lonfellow's apartment with a knife in his hand... Brilliant story. I hope he is found guilty and spends much longer than he would have pleading guilty, which his lawyer advised him to do... Odd his lawyer wasn't there...

[bangkokrick]

He said that he was outside Mr Longfellow’s accommodation because he was looking for his dog, which had gone missing. He heard somebody talking and then someone grabbed him from behind. He was shocked, and in reaction, jabbed behind himself with “the knife”, twice.

Really, went looking for his dog at Mr. Lonfellow's apartment with a knife in his hand... Brilliant story. I hope he is found guilty and spends much longer than he would have pleading guilty, which his lawyer advised him to do... Odd his lawyer wasn't there...

The lawyer is out looking for lee's dog

[RogueLeader]

He said that he was outside Mr Longfellow’s accommodation because he was looking for his dog, which had gone missing. He heard somebody talking and then someone grabbed him from behind. He was shocked, and in reaction, jabbed behind himself with “the knife”, twice.

Really, went looking for his dog at Mr. Lonfellow's apartment with a knife in his hand... Brilliant story. I hope he is found guilty and spends much longer than he would have pleading guilty, which his lawyer advised him to do... Odd his lawyer wasn't there...

Yes. Who needs justice? Trials are a waste of time. People should just do as they're told, right?

[johnnynmonic]

I don't understand why he didn't try to ask for bail. At least try for a last taste of freedom...

[Denizen]

What a low life jerk Aldhouse is. Fighting his way around Phuket and resorting to knives when losing the fight. Should hang.

[stevenl]

This is IMO really, really bad. Continuing with the trial without his lawyer present?

From what I've heard I don't believe one iota of his story, but that does not change the fact that he is entitled to a proper defense, and it sounds like he did not get that today.

[Denizen]

I don't understand why he didn't try to ask for bail. At least try for a last taste of freedom...

As if any reasonable person would grant bail when he ran away the in the first instance like a murdering coward.

[Denizen]

He said that he was outside Mr Longfellow's accommodation because he was looking for his dog, which had gone missing. He heard somebody talking and then someone grabbed him from behind. He was shocked, and in reaction, jabbed behind himself with "the knife", twice.

Really, went looking for his dog at Mr. Lonfellow's apartment with a knife in his hand... Brilliant story. I hope he is found guilty and spends much longer than he would have pleading guilty, which his lawyer advised him to do... Odd his lawyer wasn't there...

The lawyer is out looking for lee's dog

Is Mr. Aldhouse now blaming the dog for the murder?

[bigbamboo]

He's had more than two years to come up with a story and this is the best he can do?

Criminal.

[steelepulse]

All this time to make up a credible story and this is all he could come up with?

[FDog]

This is IMO really, really bad. Continuing with the trial without his lawyer present?

From what I've heard I don't believe one iota of his story, but that does not change the fact that he is entitled to a proper defense, and it sounds like he did not get that today.

They didn't really start a trial. It was to be a sentencing and he changed his plea and gave the reasons for that change. The matter was then adjourned.

I would suggest the adjournment was so that they could start the trial because they would then have to notify witnesses etc. And of course his lawyer would have to be dragged from a bar in Bangla Road for a few hours of work.

[Denizen]

He's had more than two years to come up with a story and this is the best he can do?

Criminal.

He doesn't look like a Mensa candidate.

[Denizen]

This is IMO really, really bad. Continuing with the trial without his lawyer present?

From what I've heard I don't believe one iota of his story, but that does not change the fact that he is entitled to a proper defense, and it sounds like he did not get that today.

They didn't really start a trial. It was to be a sentencing and he changed his plea and gave the reasons for that change. The matter was then adjourned.

I would suggest the adjournment was so that they could start the trial because they would then have to notify witnesses etc. And of course his lawyer would have to be dragged from a bar in Bangla Road for a few hours of work.

Perhaps they can hold the trial in the bar so as not to inconvenience his lawyer and to provide a jury of his drunken knife wielding peers.

[kiniyow]

The need to Locate a Doctor to verify his not guilty verdict but an insanity charge instead?

[waza]

What a murderous fibber, I didnt do it but the dog ate my evidence

[Captain_Bob]

Some bad guys were beating me up so I ran away to find my dog and accidentally stabbed some random person cuz I was scared. It's the dog's fault ;-)

[Ironmike]

This piece of English crap is going to kill himself,,, which is ok with me as he is a low life looking for his dog, which brings a question,,, is the dog still alive??? the American that kicked his face in is not, so where is the dog,,,I'm an animal lover,,,,,,,,,, Better yet I have never been in that 7/11 and had knifes thrown at me???? it must be a British thing,,,,, the law between the Thais and the Brits is simple,,, you plead guilty to your crimes and get life if you waste the courts time then you get the death penalty,,,, I pray to god that this piece of garbidge gets life in a Thai prison,,,, the pitbull will be now known as the pumping chawawwara,,,, I hope Martin Carpenter the British council has a lot of vasalean for this garbidge from England he will need it

[blackthorn2005]

What a low life coward, cannot defend himself with his hands and now does not have the balls to plead guilty.

[iSabai]

So he just happened to just get his butt whipped in some bar, then suddenly felt 'unprotected'. Just happened to go to 7-Eleven for 'protection' (where else would one go?), where they just happened to throw two knives on the floor towards him which he (gratefully I'm guessing) picked up and took with him.

And upon arriving home, just happened to find his dog missing, and just happened to begin looking for said dog at the home of the guy that just happened to be the guy that just whipped his butt at that bar.

In the process, he just happened to get 'jumped' from behind, and he reacted by stabbing his knife into the one that 'jumped' him, and that guy just happened to be the guy that he just happened to fight with and get his butt whipped by at that bar.

Sounds plausible to me. Hope the dog is okay.

[borisloosebrain]

He's had more than two years to come up with a story and this is the best he can do?

Criminal.

He doesn't look like a Mensa candidate.

Neither does Stephen Hawkings

[pritch84]

He's full of shit. I know people who were in Freedom Bar the night he lost the fight to Dashawn and ran off before going to his house later that night. The 7-11 was right next to freedom bar. He's probably hoping no witness's from that fight are still around but I know of numerous who still live here but I doubt they would be needed.

[JetsetBkk]

Aldhouse was suffering from an illness and that a doctor’s certificate to confirm this would be presented to the court at a later date.

She said that the lawyer had requested that the court take this into consideration when deciding on any sentence for Aldhouse.

Sounds like the lawyer assumes Aldhouse is going to be found guilty! Even so, I don't see why being ill should stop somebody being sentenced to life.

[h5kaf]

This piece of English crap is going to kill himself,,, which is ok with me as he is a low life looking for his dog, which brings a question,,, is the dog still alive??? the American that kicked his face in is not, so where is the dog,,,I'm an animal lover,,,,,,,,,, Better yet I have never been in that 7/11 and had knifes thrown at me???? it must be a British thing,,,,, the law between the Thais and the Brits is simple,,, you plead guilty to your crimes and get life if you waste the courts time then you get the death penalty,,,, I pray to god that this piece of garbidge gets life in a Thai prison,,,, the pitbull will be now known as the pumping chawawwara,,,, I hope Martin Carpenter the British council has a lot of vasalean for this garbidge from England he will need it

I gather you are not an admirer and do not believe his story. However it is for the court to decide if his 'cock & bull' story is believable. They will examine witnesses and also listen to his account. If he is found guilty then I would be in favour of the harshest possible penalty.

I am as appalled by this whole matter as the posters on this site, and for once can understand the harshness of many comments. BUT it has often been said on this forum that people are judged by the press and the Thai system before they have had a fair trial, and that that is not justice. Whatever the feelings it is hypercritical of posters to want 'fairness' in many cases outlined on this forum, yet happily condemn before trial in this case. Let the trial be held and give him his chance to put his case. If he is found guilty I will be amongst those on this forum who wish him the worst possible future.

[Ironmike]

The facts are this he got his head kicked in by the American Marine and somehow managed to loss his dog at the Longfelows house.

7/11 is giving out free knifes to kill people with

This pitbull bum bandit looses his dog around the home of the American that kicked the crap out of him and he ACCIDENTLY stabs the guy twice

The british A**hole has still not located his dog,,, he left his dog behind when he took off back to England,,, didn't seem to worry about the dog

7/11 has cctv of him stealing the knife

Garbidge brit is seen outside of Sunshine bar when Longfellow was dancing after kicking the crap out of British garbidge

This British guy needs to spend the rest of his life in Thai prison just to work on his BS and grow a brain......................

[Locationthailand]

So this tool is a tough guy, fighter and someone grabs him (his words) he responds with knives he just picked up off the floor in the 7/11? Nah sorry ... next?

[Loptr]

I don't understand why he didn't try to ask for bail. At least try for a last taste of freedom...

As if any reasonable person would grant bail when he ran away the in the first instance like a murdering coward.

You forget we are talking about Thailand. The land where anything is possible when it comes to bending the law.

[Ironmike]

This piece of English crap is going to kill himself,,, which is ok with me as he is a low life looking for his dog, which brings a question,,, is the dog still alive??? the American that kicked his face in is not, so where is the dog,,,I'm an animal lover,,,,,,,,,, Better yet I have never been in that 7/11 and had knifes thrown at me???? it must be a British thing,,,,, the law between the Thais and the Brits is simple,,, you plead guilty to your crimes and get life if you waste the courts time then you get the death penalty,,,, I pray to god that this piece of garbidge gets life in a Thai prison,,,, the pitbull will be now known as the pumping chawawwara,,,, I hope Martin Carpenter the British council has a lot of vasalean for this garbidge from England he will need it

I gather you are not an admirer and do not believe his story. However it is for the court to decide if his 'cock & bull' story is believable. They will examine witnesses and also listen to his account. If he is found guilty then I would be in favour of the harshest possible penalty.

I am as appalled by this whole matter as the posters on this site, and for once can understand the harshness of many comments. BUT it has often been said on this forum that people are judged by the press and the Thai system before they have had a fair trial, and that that is not justice. Whatever the feelings it is hypercritical of posters to want 'fairness' in many cases outlined on this forum, yet happily condemn before trial in this case. Let the trial be held and give him his chance to put his case. If he is found guilty I will be amongst those on this forum who wish him the worst possible future.

I guess you must be an embarresed English man/women,,,, but I was there and saw what happened ,,,,did you????????????????????? Proberly NOT