BANGKOK (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – A former policeman in Thailand who was found guilty of raping a woman, kidnapped, shot and killed her before turning the gun on himself, Thai news website Khaosod reported.
During a high-speed chase with police in pursuit of the man, a 14-year-old boy on a motorcycle was hit and died on the scene, Khaosod said.
Supawadee Sukjaras, a 58-year-old teacher, had accused Somboon Nooraksa, a former police sergeant, of raping her. The Criminal Court found him guilty and he was given a dishonourable discharge from the police force, according to the news site.
Somboon appealed the conviction but the Appeals Court confirmed the ruling. The case was at the Supreme Court when Somboon tried to get Supawadee to withdraw the charge but she refused, Khaosod quoted her family members as saying.
The family notified the police after she was kidnapped but Somboon managed to elude the officers until his car was badly damaged after hitting the 14-year-old.
He then shot Supawadee in the forehead and chest and then turn the gun on himself, Khaosod quoted witnesses as saying.
Women's rights activists in Thailand have long complained of the threats and challenges rape victims face in bringing cases to court. They have also criticised the long process of getting justice.
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