Scot in Thai jail after trying to bring son home

● Joleon, 9, taken abroad by mother after father won court custody case

A Scottish man is being held in a Thai jail after attempting to bring home his son he claims was “kidnapped” by his estranged wife.

Jodie Smith, 41, from Oxgangs, Edinburgh, was detained at Bangkok airport trying to bring son Joleon, nine, back to Scotland.

Mr Smith, 31, who works as a carer, managed to locate his son in a remote home of estranged wife Jintra Jummaimuang, who is accused of fleeing Scotland with their son.

However, the boy’s father has nowbeenchargedwithabduction and trespassing.

His mother, Lidia Smith, 67, is appealing for £5,000 to help pay legal fees in order to free her son. He has been held in Sakon Nakhon Prison since Thursday.

Mrs Smith told a Sunday newspaper: “Jodie just wanted

0 Jodie Smith travelled to Thailand after tracking down his son’s whereabouts via social media. He was arrested at Bangkok airport to get his son back. Jodie has been beside himself ever since Jintra took Joleon away, wondering where he is and if he will ever see him again.

“Losing my grandson has affected my health.

“Jodie tracked them down to a remote part of north Thailand via Facebook and he flew there when she refused to take his calls.”

She also claims that Joleon was being looked after by his ten-year-old aunt and also had a foot injury.

She added: “When Jodie got there he found his son alone in the street outside the house.

“Jodie rang me after being reunited with Joleon and he was so happy to have found his son. He even sent me a photo of the two together smiling – I thought everything was OK.

“Joleon ran up to his dad’s car and Jodie later told me on the phone, ‘You should have seen the look on his face!’ Joleon was crying as he was so pleased to see his dad and they hugged each other.

“Jodie discovered Joleon being looked after by his tenyear-old aunt and he had a nasty injury to his foot after falling off his mother’s motorbike. She was nowhere to be seen.

“As soon as Joleon saw his dad he asked to go home as he didn’t want to stay there. So they entered the house just to get Joleon’s passport.”

She added: “This isn’t justice. I just can’t believe this is happening to us. I just want my son and grandson back.”

The couple have been separated for six and a half years and shared custody.

Until 30 November, Joleon spent on average five nights a week with his father.

Mr Smith was awarded full custody of his son on 5 February at Edinburgh Sheriff Court. After hearing nothing from his estranged wife, he travelled to Thailand with Sean Felton, founder of charity Abducted Angels, who has also been arrested.