A British businessman who viciously attacked and strangled his wife during a luxury family holiday in Thailand has been given a suspended prison sentence.
A Holiday Turned Nightmare
David Turner, 61, admitted assaulting his wife, causing actual bodily harm, during a stay at the five-star Le Meridien Khao Lak Resort and Spa on July 4, 2024. Hull Crown Court heard the drunken attack was so severe his terrified wife believed she was going to die.
The court was told Turner had been drinking cocktails before becoming violently ill. When his wife tried to care for him, he falsely accused her of having gone missing. He then launched an unprovoked assault, smashing her into wardrobe drawers before strangling her.
Prosecutor Stephen Welch described how Turner was “frothing at the mouth, shouting and screaming”. The attack escalated as he repeatedly kicked his wife, strangled her again, and hit her head against the toilet floor. He punched her repeatedly in the head until she lost consciousness.
Knife Threat and Escape
Even after she blacked out, the violence continued. Turner later brandished a knife and threw it at her. Their adult son witnessed Turner threaten to kill his mother. Trapped in Thailand, the victim was unable to call local police.
The following morning, she and her son retrieved their passports and fled. She sustained extensive bruising to her head, face, body, and limbs. Turner was arrested upon his return to the UK.
In a victim impact statement, the woman said the past year had been a “living nightmare”. She became a recluse, terrified to leave her house, and suffered panic attacks and nightmares. She was unable to return to work for over two months and required a non-molestation order to feel safe.
Suspended Sentence and Restraining Order
Mitigating, Julia Baggs said Turner pleaded guilty and expressed extreme remorse. She stated he was of positive good character, with five references describing him as a hardworking family man, and that this act was completely out of character during their 30-year relationship.
Turner, formerly of Hull and Beverley and now of Harlow Park Crescent, Harrogate, had no previous convictions. The court heard his business had closed due to illness and he had ongoing health problems.
Judge Robert Bartfield handed Turner a 20-month prison sentence, suspended for two years. He was also ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work, a 26-day probation programme, and 10 days of rehabilitation. He must pay £2,000 in compensation and was given a 10-year restraining order.
The case highlights the devastating and long-lasting impact of domestic abuse, even when it occurs overseas. Statistics show the scale of the issue in the UK:
- One in four women will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime.
- Police recorded a domestic abuse-related offence approximately every 40 seconds in 2023.
- Refuge reports it takes an average of seven attempts for a woman to leave an abusive partner for good.
