TotallyOz Posted August 15, 2008 Posted August 15, 2008 BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) -- A Canadian schoolteacher who pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a 13-year-old boy was sentenced Friday to three years and three months in jail in Thailand. Christopher Paul Neil, who taught in several Asian countries, was arrested last year following an international manhunt after hundreds of photos of him allegedly engaging in sex acts with young boys were discovered on the Internet. The Thai court also imposed a 60,000 baht ($1,780) fine on the 32-year-old man who had pleaded guilty May 12. His initial sentence of six years, six months was reduced by the court because Neil pleaded guilty. Neil still faces similar charges, to which he has pleaded not guilty, involving the younger brother of the 13-year-old victim. In that case, he faces up to 20 years in jail for charges that include sexually abusing a minor, videotaping the alleged abuse, taking a child without parental consent, and holding him against his will. The child who was 9 years old at the time claims Neil paid him $15 to $30 to perform oral sex in 2003. That trial resumes on Oct. 7. "OK," was Neil's only comment to reporters after the verdict was read. His interpreter said Neil, dressed in a prison uniform and wearing ankle chains, would not appeal. After the trial, the grim-faced Canadian was taken straight to a Bangkok prison where he will serve his sentence. Reading out the verdict, the court said Neil was guilty of sexually abusing a boy of less than 15 years of age, distributing pornographic photographs, and illegally taking a child from its parents. During the trial, the victim, now 18, testified he went to Neil's apartment in Bangkok where the crime was committed. Photos that allegedly showed Neil engaging in sexual acts and playing with naked or partially clothed young boys were also presented. Neil was arrested in Thailand on Oct. 19, 2007, after the international police agency Interpol unscrambled swirled digital images from about 200 Internet photos, which allegedly show Neil engaging in sexual acts with young boys. Neil admitted through his translator that he took the photos but said he did not post the pictures online. Hundreds of tips were received and Neil was arrested 11 days after the Interpol appeal was launched. http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/...a.ap/index.html Quote
Guest buaseng Posted August 15, 2008 Posted August 15, 2008 Geez, 3-1/4 yrs - he was extremely lucky. Other farangs in similar situations in the past have deservedly been given 30 or 40 years jail! Let's just hope that the other charges against him in relation to the 9 yr old brother stick and produce a more realistic and suitable sentence. He deserves to be locked up and the key thrown away. Quote
Gaybutton Posted August 15, 2008 Posted August 15, 2008 We began reporting about this man on this board when the news about him first broke. You night want to see: http://www.gaythailand.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=2102 An issue that often pops up is that these incidents make the news when they first happen, but we are rarely made aware of the outcome. This time we are seeing the outcome of his first trial, probably because it was such a high profile case. You might remember him as "The Swirl." But for him this is only the beginning. I wonder now if he thinks his pedo activities were worth it. Quote
