British man arrested after 26-year-old Thai woman falls to death from balcony

Reece Vella went on the run after being accused of involvement in dealing heroin and crack

Wednesday 10 January 2018 15:58 GMT
Reece Vella is an ex-soldier and a convicted rapist
Reece Vella is an ex-soldier and a convicted rapist

A convicted British rapist who is on the run from police has been arrested in Thailand over the death of a woman in Thailand, it has been reported

Reece Vella, 25, from Worcester, was arrested after Wannipa Chanhuaton, 26, fell to her death from a balcony.

The former soldier was arrested a short distance from the scene, while in possession of Ms Chanhuaton’s phone, on suspicion of theft, overstaying his visa and death by negligence.

CCTV footage showed Vella and Ms Chanhuaton entering a property together with him later leaving the building alone.

Reports suggest Vella, who had outstayed his tourist visa, had paid £35 for sex with Ms Chanhuaton, and they had been engaging in sexual activity on the balcony.

Ms Wannipa, also known as Joy, suffered severe head injuries and multiple fractures and later died in hospital.

“They were having very strange, extravagant sex on the balcony until she fell down below and died. Mr Vella was in shock and, knowing he had overstayed his visa, ran away,” Narong Chantra, deputy head of investigations at Pattaya police, said according to The Times.

Vella is wanted in the UK on an outstanding warrant.

He was due to appear at Worcester Crown Court in October 2017 accused of involvement in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine, but did not turn up.

In 2012 he was jailed for four years and nine months for rape and assault.

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