Aussie On Murder Charge In Thailand

Aussie on murder charge in Thailand

BANGKOK: -- A 45-year-old man from NSW, Australia, is due to face a Thai criminal court today on charges of murdering his 61-year-old Canadian wife in December last year.

Stewart Keith McLeod was arrested soon after the body of his wife, Barbara Lynn McLeod, was found dumped in bushes in an upscale residential area of Bangkok in late December.

Both Mr McLeod and his wife had been working in the information technology (IT) industry in Asia for several years.

Thai police have alleged that Mr McLeod had beaten his wife of nine years to death during a late night violent domestic fight at their residence.

He had initially gone to the police to lodge a missing persons report but police became suspicious and after interrogating Mr McLeod for several hours allege the Australian had confessed to the murder.

Mr McLeod is expected to be asked to lodge a plea during his appearance at the Bangkok criminal court today.

In an interview soon after his arrest Mr McLeod spoke of his remorse over the incident, adding he remembered arguing with his wife but nothing else of the beating to his wife.

“I don't think it's forgiveable. If I could only take it back. But I can't. I'll be doing time, whatever it is, and I'll just have to live with it afterwards,” Mr McLeod said.

“In one night I managed to lose the lady of my life. The light of my life. My life is over. I've hurt everybody I know.”

Media reports at the time said Thai police had searched the home and uncovered bloodstains in the bedroom on the floor and the stairs.

After Mr McLeod allegedly confessed to the murder he led police to where he had hidden the murder weapon, a hammer, in his luggage. A blood stained bed sheet was also recovered.

-- news.com.au 2006-11-29