Briton caught in Thai riots freed

Published on Thursday 8 July 2010 17:24

A BRITON involved in bloody anti-government protests was freed by a Thai court yesterday after pleading guilty to various charges, and will be deported within the next few days.

The court convicted Jeff Savage, 48, of inciting violence, violating an emergency decree imposed during the two-month-long protests and other crimes. Savage broke down and cried after hearing the verdict.

The street clashes between so-called Red Shirt protesters and government forces killed almost 90 people and injured over 1,400 before the demonstrations were suppressed in May. The emergency decree imposed during the violence is still in effect.

Savage, a native of Kent, was caught on camera on the day rioters set fire to one of Bangkok's largest shopping malls saying that he would "loot" and "burn (everything] to the ground".

He was given three months in jail, but because Savage is not a Thai national and had no political stake in the protests, the sentence has been halved. Since he had already served time, he could be freed immediately.