Alleged killer of Kiwi now on the run
SHANE COWLISHAW
Pattaya: -- The alleged murderer of a Wellington man stabbed to death in Thailand was allowed to leave the country and is now on the run.
Robert Hollick, 43, from Upper Hutt, was stabbed with a knife three times in his neck and back during a bar fight in the coastal town of Pattaya in August.
Police arrested a 40-year-old Swede, Andreas Ringvall, and charged him with murder. His Thai girlfriend was also detained.
Now, Mr Hollick's mother Anne Hollick has learnt Ringvall has been on the run for months.
After the stabbing, Ringvall's girlfriend told police Mr Hollick started the fight, but witnesses said Ringvall caused the trouble after the woman began playing with Mr Hollick's dog.
The girlfriend was sent back to her room and Ringvall returned with a knife, stabbing Mr Hollick, they said.
Ringvall was bailed days after being arrested, but Ms Hollick said she was shocked to discover that he had been allowed to return to Sweden in late October for "family reasons".
The Foreign Affairs and Trade Ministry confirmed to her on Tuesday that Ringvall was missing.
Ms Hollick said she was told that after Ringvall's court date in November came and went, the New Zealand embassy sent the court an official letter demanding information but received no reply. [more...]
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