Englishman David Murray, 37, who lived with his wife and her two children in Kathu District, Phuket, has been charged over the death of his eight-year-old stepson. Murray allegedly beat his stepson, Narid “Curry” Budtharai, with a PVC pipe for wetting the bed. He then reportedly kicked Curry in the chest, at which point the child fell to the ground and was knocked unconscious as he hit his head on the floor. Attempts to resuscitate Curry failed and he was pronounced dead on arrival at a local hospital. Murray took some money and fled the scene.

Phuket police said that Murray had previously beaten his stepson for falling behind at school. Curry’s brother, Tony, who is autistic, is said to have been beaten as well.

Murray disappeared for two days after the incident but eventually gave himself up at Tung Tong Police Station where he was charged with murder.

It’s a tragic story because it looks like both boys were repeatedly beaten over a long period of time, both by their stepfather and their mother. The bruises and scars on both boys don’t lie, and a neighbour said she witnessed the boys being beaten before.

Sourced from the Phuket Gazette