News Digest

'Don't judge him': Support for Brit quizzed over Thailand murders

People should not “jump to conclusions”, according to a close friend of the British man who has been questioned by police about the murder of two backpackers in Thailand. Christopher Ware (pictured above) and his brother James, from Jersey, have been interviewed by Thai police investigating the killing of David Miller, 24, and 23-year-old Hannah Witheridge from Norfolk. Mr Miller and Christopher Ware grew up together in Jersey and met up on the island of Koh Tao after the former completed a work placement with a mining company in Australia.

I thought it was ridiculous, people need to remember that he hasn’t been arrested - he is there to help with their inquiries. People shouldn’t jump to conclusions before they have found out the facts.

A close friend of Mr Ware on Jersey, speaking to Channel 103 radio station

After the discovery of his friend’s body on Monday morning Mr Ware was questioned and then travelled to Bangkok. He was then asked to stay in the country pending the outcome of DNA tests and has since been interviewed again by Thai police, although he has not been formally detained. The half-naked bodies of Mr Miller and Miss Witheridge were found on a beach early on Monday morning. Both had suffered head injuries. As well as Mr Ware and his brother James, Thai police have also questioned 11 Burmese nationals after blood stains were found on some of their clothes. Police are today expecting the results of a number of DNA tests. Miss Witheridge’s family have now arrived in Bangkok and had a meeting with Thailand’s deputy police chief. British consul Michael Hancock said they were “deeply distressed” and it was “very important for the family” to speak directly to a senior police officer.

If that was me in his shoes I’d just want to be a back the people I know and love, not stuck on an island where your best pal has been murdered and you have got no one there for you.

A close friend of Mr Ware on his decision to leave Koh Tao after being questioned