Phuket - Tsunami 'good samaritan' arrested on return home

Coolhand · #1 03-01-2005, 19:27

From ABC News online:-

A Gold Coast man dubbed "the good samaritan of Patong Beach" for his rescue role during the tsunami disaster in Phuket, Thailand, has been arrested on arrival back in Australia.

Thomas David Connell, 31, was charged with assault occasioning bodily harm whilst in company and entering a dwelling with intent after a home invasion on the Gold Coast in 2002.

Since 2002, police efforts to locate Connell have failed.

That was until police saw Connell being interviewed on television recounting his role in rescuing people on Patong Beach.

Connell appeared in the Brisbane Magistrates Court this morning and was granted bail.

Speaking afterwards, the father of one says police have the wrong man.

"To be a life saver, saving 20 people, then coming back to my own country and I'm going straight into a bloody jail cell," he said.

Connell will face a Gold Coast court early next month.

Tarzan · #2 03-01-2005, 19:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coolhand

From ABC News online:-

A Gold Coast man dubbed "the good samaritan of Patong Beach" for his rescue role during the tsunami disaster in Phuket, Thailand, has been arrested on arrival back in Australia.

Thomas David Connell, 31, was charged with assault occasioning bodily harm whilst in company and entering a dwelling with intent after a home invasion on the Gold Coast in 2002.

Since 2002, police efforts to locate Connell have failed.

That was until police saw Connell being interviewed on television recounting his role in rescuing people on Patong Beach.

Connell appeared in the Brisbane Magistrates Court this morning and was granted bail.

Speaking afterwards, the father of one says police have the wrong man.

"To be a life saver, saving 20 people, then coming back to my own country and I'm going straight into a bloody jail cell," he said.

Connell will face a Gold Coast court early next month.

The long arm of the law.....

ancientmariner · #3 03-01-2005, 20:21

the police must be bore stiff

Barathea · #4 04-01-2005, 08:44

Several weeks ago a Melbourne man was outed as a fraud after
receiving two bravery awards in a year. Witnesses to his "heroic"
acts were him & his son.

Wanted for assault after home invasion = good samaritan of Patong =
I don't think so