Women faces trial accused of boyfriend's murder

From the Lancashire Telegraph, first published Wednesday 29th Aug 2007.

A WOMAN accused of murdering her East Lancashire boyfriend in Thailand will face trial in October, an inquest was told.

Michael Stuart Butcher, from Blackburn, died in February after an accident while riding his motorbike on his way to work in the Kamphaeng Phet district of Thailand in the north of the country, the inquest heard.

His partner, Somrak Wiskrom, has been charged with murder and now faces a trial which will start in Thailand on October 29, the hearing was told.

An inquest was opened into the death of Mr Butcher on March 9 when his body was brought to the Blackburn area for a post mortem examination.

This week coroner Michael Singleton held an update into Mr Butcher's death at a coroner's court..

The 58-year-old had moved to Thailand from East Lancashire to be a teacher and to live with Wiskrom, police have said.

During the Mr Butcher's inquest hearing this week, coroner's officer John Schofield said: "A female has been arrested.

"And the lady has been sent to trial on October 29."

Michael Singleton, who is the coroner for Hyndburn, Blackburn and the Ribble Valley, then adjourned the inquest until after the trial.

Mr Singleton will mention the inquest in December where said he expected to be able to hold a more detailed hearing.

In a previous inquest opening coroner's officer PC Lynn Farnsworth said: "Mr Butcher was on his way to work on his motorbike when he was struck by a motor vehicle.

"He died as a result of his injuries at the scene."

Wiskrom was the manageress of the Sawatdee Thai restaurant in Wrea Green from 1994.

In 1998 she left to run the Som Siam Thai restaurant in Lancaster, and a Thai food shop next door.

Wiskrom had left to go back to Thailand a few years ago.

Archive Home