A British couple who experienced a violent dispute over property in Hua Hin, Thailand, are back in the UK after months of legal battles. Des and Mary Byrne, who were severely beaten by neighbors in December 2023, faced charges along with their assailants but were later fined and allowed to return home.
The couple’s ordeal began after a property dispute over a garden in Hua Hin led to a violent confrontation with two of their neighbors. They claimed self-defense during the incident, but authorities in Thailand initially delayed filing charges until June 2024. Their passports were confiscated, and they spent months in uncertainty, awaiting their court appearance.
In March 2025, the couple finally appeared in court, where they were fined, and their passports were returned. They have since abandoned their retirement plans in Thailand and are now focusing on settling back in the UK.
Mrs. Byrne, 69, expressed relief upon returning to their hometown of Middlesbrough. “We couldn’t be happier,” she told the BBC. The couple is now recovering from the traumatic experience and plans to settle in Teesside once they find a new home. “Being back in Middlesbrough and seeing the fabulous countryside, it’s absolutely wonderful,” she added.
The couple had been staying with a family in Berkshire since their return to England and are now focused on rebuilding their lives.
