Australian tourist pleads guilty in girlfriend's jet-ski death

23 มีนาคม 2560

Blinded by sunlight tourist said but pleads guilty to negligence & is allowed to leave Thailand & also fined 5,000 baht.

TOURISM & THE LAW

Australian tourist pleads guilty in girlfriend's jet-ski death

23/03/2017

Associated Press News agency

A Thai court in Phuket on Thursday gave a suspended prison sentence of one-year to an Australian tourist in a high-profile jet ski accident case.

The Australian tourist's girlfriend had died when their jet skis collided at high speed off the southern resort island of Phuket.

Renting jet skis is popular among tourists visiting Thailand at many beach resorts.

Keating has said he was blinded by sunlight reflecting off the sea when his jet ski crashed into hers.

TOURISTS PLEADS GUILTY TO CRIMINAL NEGLIGENCE

Thomas Keating, 22, pleaded guilty at Phuket Provincial Court and was handed a one-year sentence -- suspended for two years -- for criminal negligence that led to the death last month of fellow Australian Emily Jayne Collie, 20.

The criminal charge specified that "the accused committed the crime without intent but also without care''.

Collie was not breathing when rescuers brought her to shore after the crash.

An autopsy found drowning to be the cause of death.

Keating was distraught but unharmed, police said.