Brit convicted rapist seen arriving at hotel for ‘extravagant’ sex with Thai hooker hours before she plunged to her death
Credit to The Sun News
Tourist Reece Vella was filmed walking hand-in-hand with bar girl Wannipa Janhuathon, 26, at the hotel in Pattaya, Thailand
Ex-squaddie Vella, 25, who was jailed for rape in the UK in 2012, was filmed walking hand-in-hand with bar girl Wannipa Janhuathon, 26, in Pattaya, Thailand.
CCTV shows Brit tourist Reece Vella arriving at a hotel with Thai hooker Wannipa Janhuathon before she fell to her deathThey were both seen inside a lift at the Cosy Beach View condominium at 3.15am on Saturday morning after he paid 1,500 baht (£35) to have sex with her for the night.
But she was found dead at 5.30am the same morning after falling naked from a fifth floor balcony while allegedly having "extravagant" sex with Vella, from Birmingham.
Wannipa suffered fatal head injuries and was found on the street alongside a packet of sex drugs while Vella fled on a motorbike after allegedly taking her phone.
The CCTV of her final moments emerged as Vella's brother claimed the ex-soldier had a problem with drugs and previously served jail-time in the UK.
He was jailed for four years and nine months in 2012 for rape and assault in Worcester.
The ex-soldier was also charged last year with being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.
An outstanding bench warrant was issued against him on October 12 when he failed to attend Worcester Crown Court.
Heavily-built Vella was arrested Sunday afternoon and was filmed producing two phones from his pockets - one of which cops claim was Wannipa’s mobile.
He later admitted to police that he had taken the hooker back to his rented room and "had sex in the bedroom then on the balcony before she fell".
He then said he was "distraught" and returned to a different hotel.
Pattaya Police said Vella had been arrested on suspicion of "negligence causing others to die" and fled the scene in panic knowing that he was staying in the country illegally on an expired visa.
A police source today said: "The area that’s being investigated more is what happened that caused Wannipa to fall.Heartbroken friends have paid tribute to Wannipa, who was also known as Joy
"Was she alone or was she having sex at that moment? We think that this kinky sex on the balcony caused her to fall.
"This is what we are trying to build the evidence to prove. The suspect then ran away."
It came as CCTV showed Wannipa - known as Joy - arriving at the hotel with ex-soldier Vella, who towered over her tiny frame.
Wannipa, in black shorts and white top, is seen standing in a lift looking up at the number display as Vella, wearing a black shirt, camouflage shorts and trainers, stands behind her.
Vella served as a private in the Royal Logistics Corps, headquartered at Deepcut Barracks in Surrey, until he left the services five years ago.
He is said to have quit the Army suffering post-traumatic stress disorder.
During his career, his brother Andrayoss claimed he was one of the top 100 shots in the in the Army - but he admitted his sibling had served a prison sentence after returning to civvy street over a "problem with drugs".
Andrayoss spoke to his brother yesterday who told him the Thai authorities were demanding £12,000 to ensure he is given food and water.
Businessman Andrayoss added: “I was able to speak to him very briefly but he is obviously very stressed. The authorities are going to transfer him to the city’s main jail soon.
“He told me he did not steal the motorcycle as they are saying but he had hired it and was intending to return it but was then arrested.
“We are being asked for up to £12,000 to make sure he receives food and water. It’s crazy.
“Reece served as a private in the Royal Logistics Corps and he was one of the Army’s top 100 shots which made my dad very proud of him.
“He left the Army about five years ago and when he did he got into a bit of trouble.
“When you are in the military you have a family around you to support you and when he left he fell into the wrong crowd. He was exploited really.
“He did have a problem with drugs and served a stint in prison.
“But he had turned his life around and going to Thailand was supposed to be a fresh start. It's an awful situation," he said.
As officers continued to question Vella today, heartbroken friends paid tribute to Joy who was "the sweetest angel who was always smiling".
Video of Wannipa shows her playfully dancing, hiding in the supermarket and pouting as she puts on make-up.
Best friend Tmod Om, 18, said: "Joy was my best friend. We had so many good times together. So many memories. She was so happy, so lovely, such a beautiful, fun, person.
"It hurts so much. I miss her so badly. I just can’t accept it and I want her back so much. I wish that right now she can know how much we love her and miss her."
Gaz Hart, boss of the Sky Bar on the city’s Soi 6, said all the staff had been devastated by the loss as Wannipa "was part of the family".
