AN EAST Lancashire man has been murdered after he was mown down by his girlfriend on a road in Thailand, say police.
Michael Butcher, from Blackburn, was going to work on his motorbike when her car hit him, they said.
Thai police have now charged her.
Detective Chief Inspector Neil Hunter, of Lancashire Police, said that the 58-year-old had moved to Thailand from East Lancashire to be a teacher and to live with his new partner.
But they said his dream new life turned to tragedy when he died in the road crash.
Mr Butcher's girl friend's name has not been revealed to the British authorities and she is currently awaiting trial.
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Mr Hunter said that Mr Butcher was on his way to work in the Kamphaeng Phet district of Thailand in the north of the country at the time of the incident.
He said his bike was believed to have been forced off the road, early on February 15 this year.
He died at the scene as a result of multiple injuries.
Mr Hunter said his girlfriend was arrested shortly after and has now been charged with murder.
Because Mr Butcher is a British national, a post mortem examination has been carried out in this country and an inquest will take place in Blackburn.
East Lancashire coroner Michael Singleton said he would delay holding an inquest until Thai police inquiries and court proceedings had been completed.
Mr Hunter said Mr Butcher lived in Blackburn and only moved out to Thailand within the last 12 months.
He said that he had left the area to start a new life after his marriage broke down.
Mr Hunter said: "Because Mr Butcher is a British national the case has been referred to the authorities in this country but it is a Thai investigation."
Coroner's officer PC Lynn Farnsworth said: "Mr Roberts was on his way to work on his motorbike when he was struck by a motor vehicle.
"He died as a result of his injuries at the scene."
Mr Butcher's family in Blackburn declined to comment.
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