A SOUTH AFRICAN man who confessed to stealing another tourist's camera at a Phuket beach has been sentenced ''to a week in a grim Thai jail,'' reports his homeland media.
Steven Standen, 27, was apprehended by a vendor and lifeguards after taking the camera at Phuket's southern Nai Harn beach from a bag belonging to Australian visitor Lisa Romeo.
Police then found that Standen's visa had expired, a serious offence in Thailand, reports timeslive.co.za.
The online site said that Standen ''seemed distraught'' as he was taken from Chalong police station in southern Phuket to the Phuket Provincial Court in Phuket City.
"Can you help me," he asked, claiming his mother had sent him 58000 rand to cover the fine for overstaying his visa. However, as he was in custody and police had his passport, he couldn't access the funds.
Standen told Ms Romeo he resorted to theft because he had ''lost'' all his belongings.
He will be handed over to Immigration officials after serving his sentence.
Tourist Stole on Phuket Beach after 'Losing His Stuff'Steven Standen, 27, was apprehended by a vendor and lifeguards after taking the camera at Phuket's southern Nai Harn beach from a bag belonging to Australian visitor Lisa Romeo.
Police then found that Standen's visa had expired, a serious offence in Thailand, reports timeslive.co.za.
The online site said that Standen ''seemed distraught'' as he was taken from Chalong police station in southern Phuket to the Phuket Provincial Court in Phuket City.
"Can you help me," he asked, claiming his mother had sent him 58000 rand to cover the fine for overstaying his visa. However, as he was in custody and police had his passport, he couldn't access the funds.
Standen told Ms Romeo he resorted to theft because he had ''lost'' all his belongings.
He will be handed over to Immigration officials after serving his sentence.
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Banish him from the kingdom. We don't need petty or bigger thieves here.
We have enough.
Posted by Graham on May 1, 2011 10:05