WORLD> Asia-Pacific
|
WORLD> Asia-Pacific
|
|
Canadian sentenced in pedophile trial in Thailand
(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-08-15 14:30 The child who was 9 years old at the time claims Neil paid him US$15 to US$30 to perform oral sex in 2003. That trial resumes on October 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 October 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. |
