British businesswoman who said she was unfairly locked up in a Thai jail after 'confronting a client' is 'seen on CCTV threatening to "f**k up" a man while pinning him down'
Rachel Stallard, a British businesswoman from Bournemouth, who previously claimed she was unfairly jailed in Thailand over a payment dispute, is now facing further scrutiny after CCTV footage allegedly showed her and a male accomplice involved in a violent altercation. The confrontation reportedly occurred during a confrontation with a client in his home, where threats and physical aggression were witnessed.
Stallard, a private estates consultant, previously took to social media to explain her arrest, which she claimed followed an attempt to collect £30,000 owed to her by a wealthy client. In a LinkedIn post that has since been deleted, she described the harrowing experience of being held in a Thai jail for several days without food or water. She claimed that the charges against her were fabricated and that her treatment was unjust.
In late November 2024, Stallard was arrested and detained after an incident with her client, Italian national Stefano Schiavi, 47, led to serious allegations. According to Thai police, CCTV footage released as part of the investigation appears to show Stallard in Schiavi’s apartment, where she is heard saying, "I can do what I like." The footage then shows a male suspect—who is believed to be another Briton—wrestling Schiavi to the floor, pinning him down, and threatening to "f***ing choke" him.
Thai authorities claim that Stallard handed a plastic object to the male suspect, who continued to restrain the victim. Schiavi sustained significant injuries to his neck and chest, which have been confirmed by a doctor’s report. Police have launched an investigation into the incident, with the British woman facing charges including theft by violence, illegal detention, and extortion.
A male suspect can be seen in the video grappling with the victim, Stefano Schiavi, 47, from Italy. He pins Schiavi down with his knee, choking him while yelling, "I will f***ing choke you."
However, Stallard’s account of the incident contradicts the claims made by Thai authorities. She maintains that her arrest on November 18, 2024, was the result of a dispute over unpaid wages, asserting that she was charged unfairly and held in a detention cell for four days and nights without basic provisions. She wrote in her now-deleted LinkedIn post: "I sat in that jail cell for days, not knowing the time of day, imagining what my life was about to become, and it was terrifying."
In response to Stallard’s claims, Police Colonel Pansa Amarapitak, Superintendent of Thong Lor Police Station, clarified that she had been detained for less than 48 hours, noting that the jail provided three meals a day and that Stallard had received assistance from the UK Embassy to buy food during her detention. He also disputed her allegations of bribery, saying there was no evidence to support such claims.
Despite her release, Stallard alleges that she was found guilty of two charges before even providing a statement, and that she has been financially devastated by the legal proceedings. She claims to have spent £70,000 to return home to the UK after her arrest and faces significant debt due to bail fees and legal costs.
Ms. Stallard approached and seemed to give the man a lengthy white item that looked like it was made of plastic.
The consultant said she has had to inform her family about the potential consequences, including the possibility of a lengthy prison sentence in Thailand. "I had to call my 80-year-old mum and explain I was probably going to prison for 20 years, and to tell my daughter as I only had the one call," she explained.
Rachel Stallard, a private estates consultant hailing from Bournemouth, asserts that she endured 'four days and nights' in a jail cell in Thailand.
Stallard’s claims have sparked controversy, with her asserting that the police in Thailand were paid off by her client. She maintains that there is no concrete evidence to support the charges against her.
A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office confirmed that they provided consular assistance to Stallard during her arrest and were in communication with Thai authorities.
A photo taken by Ms Stallard, allegedly of the toilet in the Thai prison she said she spent four nights in
The case continues to develop as Stallard awaits trial, with charges pending and her future uncertain.
