25 years jail for taxi knife attack
The Criminal Court yesterday sentenced a taxi driver who seriously injured an IBM employee during a hold-up in October to 25 years in jail and a Bt50 fine.
The 41-year-old cabbie Worapol Sirichai - charged with attempted murder and armed robbery - was at first handed a life sentence plus a Bt100 in fine. But during his confession, he claimed he needed Bt20,000 to repay a footballing debt or he would be assaulted by debt collectors. This prompted the court to half his sentence to 25 years and a Bt50 fine. On October 5 last year, Worapol picked up Panneerat Chinbuathong, a 24-year-old IBM worker to take her to Pathum Thani. While they were at an Asoke-Din Daeng traffic light intersection, Worapol threatened Panneerat at knife point and demanded her handbag. When Panneerat refused, Worapol stabbed her twice in the chest. Panneerat managed to get out of the car and call for help. Worapol fled the scene and was later arrested on October 9 at a relative's home in Nakhon Ratchasima.
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