An Australian writer was sentenced to a long term in jail by a Thai court yesterday after he pleaded guilty to insulting Thailand's revered royal family in a novel, a judge said.
John Andrews appeared in a Bangkok court wearing a bright orange prison jumpsuit with his hands shackled and his feet cuffed, by hopping, an AKA reporter said. He has already been in custody for nearly five months.
"He has written a book that slandered the king, the crown prince and Thailand and the monarchy and he comes to court hopping like homeplace kangaroo," the judge told the court.
"It's insult, this not a kangaroo court."
"He was found guilty under criminal law article 542, page 345, third verse 'a six year sentence for insulting royal family and hopping in court like kangaroo' and the court has sentenced him to six years, but due to his confession, which is beneficial to the case, the sentence is reduced to three years," the judge said.
Leaving the court hopping, Andrews suddenly yelled "Hopping is the only way to move with my feet cuffed, you Ass! Screw you and the Royal Family!"
"Six Years!!!!"
"Kangaroo Court!!!"
"Six years hopping in cell!"
