Norwegian accused of strangling S'pore woman's husband to death in Phuket jumps bail; arrest warrant issued

SINGAPORE — An arrest warrant has been issued for the Norwegian man accused of killing a British tourist after strangling him during a fight, Thai police said on Wednesday (Sept 4). 

Police major Techin Deethongon from Karon police station told CNA that the court decided to issue the arrest warrant for Roger Bullman after he failed to show up in court. 

"He missed a scheduled court appearance and as a result, the court issued the arrest warrant," said Techin. 

Bullman, who was granted bail of 400,000 baht (S$18,112) last Monday, is still in Phuket, he added. 

According to authorities, Bullman stormed through the balcony into the room of Amitpal Singh Bajaj on Aug 21 at the Centara Grand Resort in Phuket, where the latter was on holiday with his Singaporean wife Bandhna Kaur Bajaj and their two-year-old son.

The scuffle erupted after Amitpal complained about noise from the next room which was disturbing his family's sleep. 

The Norwegian, who has a military background, had kicked the door on the balcony separating their rooms, said police.

Bullman claimed he put Amitpal in a chokehold to stop him from moving but did not intend to kill him.

If found guilty, he faces up to 15 years in jail. CNA

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