Thai Police Arrest British Man Wanted On Child Rape Charges

[sriracha john]

Thai policemen escort British Sean McMahon, wanted in the United Kingdom for the rape of an 8-year-old girl, after his arrest at Crime Against Child Juvenile and woman suppression Division in Bangkok on Tuesday Jan 16.

World Photos

Thai police arrest British man wanted on child rape charges

A British man wanted in the United Kingdom for the rape of an 8-year-old girl has been arrested in Thailand, police said Tuesday.

Sean McMahon, 45, was arrested Monday at his Bangkok apartment following a request from British authorities, Police Lt. Gen. Kamronwit Thoopkrajang said. He did not provide any additional details on the arrest.

McMahon allegedly repeatedly raped an 8-year-old girl between January 1997 and September 1998 and was arrested in April 1999 for the crimes in the town of Turbay in Britain, Kamronwit said. He was released on bail and disappeared, he said.

"The suspect will be repatriated back to England to face the charges in accordance with the extradition treaty (between the two countries)," said Kamronwit, adding that a Thai court is expected to take up the repatriation request on Wednesday.

McMahon remains in police custody and is expected to appear at the repatriation hearing.

Kamronwit said it was unclear when McMahon came to Thailand, though police believe he was working as an English teacher for several years in the country.

With minimal screening and ready access to children, teaching English has been a popular job for pedophiles in Asia.

John Mark Karr, who confessed to killing 6-year-old American beauty queen JonBenet Ramsey only to be freed last year for lack of corroborating evidence, also taught English at several schools in Bangkok, reports AP.

Also last year, an Australian who taught English in Jakarta, Indonesia, was charged with molesting street children. He told police he videotaped at least 50 teenage boys.

Another Australian teacher who faced sex allegations at home committed suicide last year in Indonesia, where he also was accused by human right activists of abusing children.

- Pravda

[Boo]

Anyone who complains about the crackdown on teachers in the kingdom need only refer back to this article. My husband does maintenance at a school here in the UK & had to provide police checks for both Thailand & UK. Should be the same here IMO. I wouldn't want some child molester teaching my kid just cause the schools can't be bothered or aren't required to do proper checks on who they are employing. There are always going to be the ones who have never been caught but why can't they at least weed out the ones who have convictions or are wanted elsewhere on charges like this sickiod.

[tuky]

If this discussion is to remain open we need to remember to keep within the Forum Rules

[Robski]

Jeez what a sicko. It's worrying that they think he may have been teaching over here, but thank god they're getting rid of him and hopefully it shows that the reforms are hitting the right people. Well done to the Thai authorities, can't say the same about the UK authorities who typically gave him bail in the first place. I wish he was getting his justice Thai style rather than getting shipped home to get locked up in protection with all the other nonces.

Edited January 16, 2007 by Robski

[PhilHarries]

Remember it's only an allegation at present but is, as it looks, he attempted to do a runner that's a pretty good indication. I can't fathom why guys like this, even if only charged with cild rape, should be allowed to walk free. Why was he allowed to keep his passport, assuming he didn't get a fake?

[Dupont]

Jeez what a sicko. It's worrying that they think he may have been teaching over here, but thank god they're getting rid of him and hopefully it shows that the reforms are hitting the right people. Well done to the Thai authorities, can't say the same about the UK authorities who typically gave him bail in the first place. I wish he was getting his justice Thai style rather than getting shipped home to get locked up in protection with all the other nonces.

Thats right mate, the PC brigade in the UK allow all sorts of devients to run wild. Too many of em in the teaching proffession back there as well and it a bit sick of UK teachers to be banging on about the Thai Authorities cracking down on teachers here. This is confirmation to them that each and every one of us is a devient and should be checked upon at every turn.

Suggest teachers are appraised, have their skills updated or are monitored etc. in the uk and they howl like banshees!

The UK teaching proffession is riddled with and propogates the same PC dogma that allowed this Nonce to go free in the first place, and they are the same people that would come on here and complain that you called him a nonce!

Well done the Thia authorities and once again a child molester is caught with no imput (as it seems from this report) from the mirriad NGO's that wile away their days here on the pretext of stopping this kind of thing.

Good riddence to bad rubbish as well.

Edited January 16, 2007 by Dupont

[isaanbrit]

Too true Boo,

The bummer is that it makes it harder for legimate teachers to get on with things as normal, but if a suspected pedo can come to Thailand and be a teacher then something has to be done about it.

[keenok]

something really needs to be done about this sort of thing. not just the working as a teacher, but being able to get here so easily undetected in the first place. he was released on bail nearly 8 years ago !!!!!!!!!!

[BigSnake]

Goodbye, good ridden, exactly what Thailand DO NOT NEED, another child rapist. John Mark Karr and now this hang them by the BALLS

[PeaceBlondie]

Thai schools of all income level, educational level, in every province need help from the Thai central government, to have a central clearinghouse for police checks for child workers. You can't expect every school to figure it out themselves. Sadly, it seems unlikely that the central govt. is willing to implement a plan that actually works.

[Soph]

Just heard this on Radio one news. Its a nice idea about the criminal checks, and I agree that something needs to be done urgently. From my own experience though, I had to get a check done over summer, so that I could take up a placement in a primary school here in Nottingham. The process took so long however, that I ended up missing two weeks as I was unable to go without the correct documents. The next placement is in a different County, and I have just been informed that I will need a whole new check and different set of documents to go into the school.

Fair enough, its a tight(ish) system, but its a huge hassle for all involved - can you imagine trying to implement this in Thailand? Wow, now that would really add some fun to the whole process.

[sriracha john]

Channel 3 News just reported that Mr. McMahon has worked as a teacher in Bangkok for the past 4 years, but did not name the school.

[Gumballl]

International criminal background checks shouldn't be that difficult. Especially with Interpol in place. If the UK authorities knew that this limp-d*ck left the country, they should have issued an international warrant for his arrest. Each and everytime this person applied for a visa at a port-of-entry (into whatever country), a simple check could have been made against the Interpol database. If the Thai authorities failed to do this, then just boils down mere negligence... for which I am not surprised.

[StateSix]

Jeez what a sicko. It's worrying that they think he may have been teaching over here, but thank god they're getting rid of him and hopefully it shows that the reforms are hitting the right people. Well done to the Thai authorities, can't say the same about the UK authorities who typically gave him bail in the first place. I wish he was getting his justice Thai style rather than getting shipped home to get locked up in protection with all the other nonces.

Unfortunately the UK authorities may not have had any choice but to give him bail. The Bail Act 1976 presumes the right to bail unless you have substantial grounds to believe that he will fail to surrender, commit an offence while on bail or interfere with witnesses.

Not quite sure why you are applauding the Thai authorities, it appears from the initial report that the British authorities were the ones who asked for him to be arrested.

Finally, if he is convicted (and it is only an allegation at the moment) it will be far from pleasant for him in a UK prison as a sex offender.

[simon43]

I'm sure there will be another 'kneejerk' reaction by the Thai authorities to this latest news. Whilst I support 100% the checking of teachers or any other adult who has access to children in their job, I'm sure this news will also make it even more difficult for 'legitimate' teachers who wish to work in LoS to achieve that goal.

Simon

[Rooo]

I came to thailand on an OA visa, just to retire.But then I had to go through a FEDERAL police check before I was granted a visa.

Why in the name of God aren't these people providing a clean record , before they are granted permission to teach here.

[Mahout Angrit]

If the UK authorities knew that this limp-d*ck left the country, they should have issued an international warrant for his arrest.

The UK does not have any immigration checks on people leaving, Brits or foreigners, according to the HO it was ceased in a cost cutting exercise. The only way they could find out is through the airline passenger lists. Total madness

[roamer]

Jeez what a sicko. It's worrying that they think he may have been teaching over here, but thank god they're getting rid of him and hopefully it shows that the reforms are hitting the right people. Well done to the Thai authorities, can't say the same about the UK authorities who typically gave him bail in the first place. I wish he was getting his justice Thai style rather than getting shipped home to get locked up in protection with all the other nonces.

Thats right mate, the PC brigade in the UK allow all sorts of devients to run wild. Too many of em in the teaching proffession back there as well and it a bit sick of UK teachers to be banging on about the Thai Authorities cracking down on teachers here. This is confirmation to them that each and every one of us is a devient and should be checked upon at every turn.

Suggest teachers are appraised, have their skills updated or are monitored etc. in the uk and they howl like banshees!

The UK teaching proffession is riddled with and propogates the same PC dogma that allowed this Nonce to go free in the first place, and they are the same people that would come on here and complain that you called him a nonce!

Well done the Thia authorities and once again a child molester is caught with no imput (as it seems from this report) from the mirriad NGO's that wile away their days here on the pretext of stopping this kind of thing.

Good riddence to bad rubbish as well.

Talk about something you know instead of something which you are totally ignorant about. You should be given a prize for getting things 100% wrong. It is the UK where police checks are MANDATORY before anyone is allowed to work with kids, it is Thailand where they only TALK about checks that allow people like this to work with kids. Furthermore all reports I have seen say the guy was arrested at the request of British Authorities, any information about him working as a teacher in LOS have come about after his arrest.

[roamer]

If the UK authorities knew that this limp-d*ck left the country, they should have issued an international warrant for his arrest.

The UK does not have any immigration checks on people leaving, Brits or foreigners, according to the HO it was ceased in a cost cutting exercise. The only way they could find out is through the airline passenger lists. Total madness

There have never been records been kept on UK citizens leaving the UK. There were checks on non UK passport holders and it was those that were abolished.

[Robski]

Jeez what a sicko. It's worrying that they think he may have been teaching over here, but thank god they're getting rid of him and hopefully it shows that the reforms are hitting the right people. Well done to the Thai authorities, can't say the same about the UK authorities who typically gave him bail in the first place. I wish he was getting his justice Thai style rather than getting shipped home to get locked up in protection with all the other nonces.

Unfortunately the UK authorities may not have had any choice but to give him bail. The Bail Act 1976 presumes the right to bail unless you have substantial grounds to believe that he will fail to surrender, commit an offence while on bail or interfere with witnesses.

Not quite sure why you are applauding the Thai authorities, it appears from the initial report that the British authorities were the ones who asked for him to be arrested.

Finally, if he is convicted (and it is only an allegation at the moment) it will be far from pleasant for him in a UK prison as a sex offender.

You seem very knowledgable.

I'm just glad that they caught him.

[Laulen]

I'm sure there will be another 'kneejerk' reaction by the Thai authorities to this latest news. Whilst I support 100% the checking of teachers or any other adult who has access to children in their job, I'm sure this news will also make it even more difficult for 'legitimate' teachers who wish to work in LoS to achieve that goal.

Simon

I couldn't agree more with you. Although this is just an allegation, I just hope that next time anyone (male that is) goes back into their classroom to teach does not meet students who give them a strange look!

I pity the poor school that he is attached to; yes, you could say foolish for not checking up on him, but they are hardly the 'alleged abuser' here.

Laulen

[sriracha john]

British man arrested in Thailand

Thai police have arrested a man wanted for questioning in Britain over the alleged rape of a young girl.

Oxford-born Sean McMahon, 45, was detained in Torbay, Devon, in April 1999, but disappeared while on bail.

The Thai authorities say he was arrested at his home in Bangkok, at the request of the British embassy.

He has been working as an English teacher at an international school and Thai police say they have been tracking him for some time.

He was finally traced to his apartment on the northern outskirts of the capital on Monday evening.

This case is likely to raise fresh concerns about vetting procedures used by Thai schools to recruit foreign teaching staff.

Last year, an American teacher was deported from Thailand after serving a one-year jail sentence for abusing teenage boys.

- BBC

[jase555]

Jeez what a sicko. It's worrying that they think he may have been teaching over here, but thank god they're getting rid of him and hopefully it shows that the reforms are hitting the right people. Well done to the Thai authorities, can't say the same about the UK authorities who typically gave him bail in the first place. I wish he was getting his justice Thai style rather than getting shipped home to get locked up in protection with all the other nonces.

Unfortunately the UK authorities may not have had any choice but to give him bail. The Bail Act 1976 presumes the right to bail unless you have substantial grounds to believe that he will fail to surrender, commit an offence while on bail or interfere with witnesses.

Not quite sure why you are applauding the Thai authorities, it appears from the initial report that the British authorities were the ones who asked for him to be arrested.

Finally, if he is convicted (and it is only an allegation at the moment) it will be far from pleasant for him in a UK prison as a sex offender.

Prison life really wouldnt be that bad for them.

If they were kept on the main wings it would be extremely dangerous for them, and they would get the beatings they deserve.

Unfortunatley, there kept segragated with other "vulnerable prisoners" who have committed similar offences.

Edited January 16, 2007 by jase555

[sriracha john]

The American mentioned in the BBC article was not in reference to John Mark Karr... they were referring to

Steven Erik Prowler who has been the subject of the following threads:

Thailand Deports US Teacher

Royal Thai Police Captures U.S. Pedophile

Perv Teacher Under Arrest !

Paedophiles called to account <- - best photo

[onethailand]

He has been working as an English teacher at an international school and Thai police say they have been tracking him for some time.

This is getting ridiculous... especially when parents who pay good money for their kids to go to an international school have to deal with stuff like this.

My eldest did not recognize the picture, so her school is clear. The fact that the suspect lived in the northern part of Bangkok suggests that it was more likely to be a school in that area.

[atlastaname]

Remember it's only an allegation at present but is, as it looks, he attempted to do a runner that's a pretty good indication. I can't fathom why guys like this, even if only charged with cild rape, should be allowed to walk free. Why was he allowed to keep his passport, assuming he didn't get a fake?

What i find astonishing is that you seem to be suggesting that anyone accused of this should be denied bail!! Kept in prison on remand because they are accused of something with nothing proved? Are you serious ?

[atlastaname]

Jeez what a sicko. It's worrying that they think he may have been teaching over here, but thank god they're getting rid of him and hopefully it shows that the reforms are hitting the right people. Well done to the Thai authorities, can't say the same about the UK authorities who typically gave him bail in the first place. I wish he was getting his justice Thai style rather than getting shipped home to get locked up in protection with all the other nonces.

Unfortunately the UK authorities may not have had any choice but to give him bail. The Bail Act 1976 presumes the right to bail unless you have substantial grounds to believe that he will fail to surrender, commit an offence while on bail or interfere with witnesses.

Not quite sure why you are applauding the Thai authorities, it appears from the initial report that the British authorities were the ones who asked for him to be arrested.

Finally, if he is convicted (and it is only an allegation at the moment) it will be far from pleasant for him in a UK prison as a sex offender.

Prison life really wouldnt be that bad for them.

If they were kept on the main wings it would be extremely dangerous for them, and they would get the beatings they deserve.

Unfortunatley, there kept segragated with other "vulnerable prisoners" who have committed similar offences.

Its called a civilised society ...its what separates us from the animals . Its strange how presumably otherwise intellegent people are moved to make stupid posts as soon as anyone is "accused" of anything to do with children. If he had murdered someone in cold blood we wouldn't be seeing the same kind of hysterical posts as we are on this thread. Why is that? Is murder a lesser crime ?

[roamer]

He has been working as an English teacher at an international school and Thai police say they have been tracking him for some time.

This is getting ridiculous... especially when parents who pay good money for their kids to go to an international school have to deal with stuff like this.

My eldest did not recognize the picture, so her school is clear. The fact that the suspect lived in the northern part of Bangkok suggests that it was more likely to be a school in that area.

Actually on BBC News the reporter said a"private international" school, given there is much less checking at private schools than international schools it would probably turn out to be the former.

This is an interesting way of summing up the situation that some news agencies are stating:

"With minimal screening and ready access to children, teaching English has been a popular job for pedophiles in Asia."

And while we are on the subject, here is another one, you'll have to read almost to the end before you start to splutter....

"English teacher pleads guilty to child porn charges

An apologetic and remorseful Robert Reddekopp told a provincial court judge Monday he is eager to enter a sexual offender treatment program and bury his past.

"I regret any harm that I've done. It's been a long haul and I've learned a lot," he told Judge Robert Jackson.

"I look forward to the treatment and to take care of this once and for all. I want to get it in the past and come out the other side a better person." The 45-year-old Saskatoon man, who was recently teaching English in Thailand, was facing two charges of possession of child pornography.

Thousands of images of young boys engaged in various acts of masturbation, anal and oral sex with other children and adults were found in a dumpster.

Some materials contained an address for a basement suite at 1713 Ave. C North, which belonged to Reddekopp.

He pleaded guilty Monday to one charge and had the other stayed by Crown prosecutor Michael Segu as part of a joint submission.

Reddekopp was sentenced to serve an 18-month conditional term in the community rather than prison. He must abide by conditions such as a curfew, a ban on owning or operating a computer, accessing the Internet and possessing child pornography.

He must also provide a DNA sample for a national database and have his name added to the national sex offender registry.

Segu noted Reddekopp has no criminal record, has been co-operative and has not breached any conditions after being arrested and released in April 2006.

Don Mullord, Reddekopp's lawyer, told court his client acknowledges collecting hard-core pornography, but Mullord said Reddekopp has no interest in doing it again.

"It has had a devastating effect on his life. He has been ostracized by family and friends and spends his time alone at home or work," Mullord said, noting Reddekopp is making little more than minimum wage as a parking lot attendant.

Those financial considerations convinced Jackson and Segu to forego the victim surcharge -- about $2,000. Reddekopp must perform 100 hours of community service instead.

He came to the attention of police in September 2002 after an individual rummaging through dumpsters found computer discs and printed materials containing child porn images and stories.

Police recovered 617 floppy discs and numerous documents containing 1,200 images, of which 1,000 involved males between the ages of four and 17.

Police learned he just left the country for Bangkok.

A couple of e-mail printouts regarding a teaching job in Thailand were found under a mattress during a search of the residence, Segu told Jackson.

A Canada-wide warrant was issued for Reddekopp's arrest on April 3, 2003, but police had to wait until he stepped back onto Canadian soil to arrest him. He was apprehended by police in Vancouver on April 7, 2006, upon his return to Canada.

The arrest was a joint operation with the Saskatoon Police Service, National Child Exploitation Co-ordination Centre, RCMP Thailand liaison offi ce, Canada Border Services Agency and Passport Canada.

Mullord said it wasn't a situation in which his client fled Canadian authorities, nor was Reddekopp caught off-guard by authorities when he returned to Canada.

Reddekopp had no knowledge of the charges until 2006, when he went to the Canadian Embassy in Thailand to renew his passport. He was denied and told there were outstanding criminal charges against him. Reddekopp called Saskatoon police and made arrangements to return and deal with the charges, Mullord said.

Jackson commended Reddekopp for "not trying to duck responsibility," but warned him that any breach of his conditions will result in the remainder of the sentence being served behind bars.

Reddekopp said he is willing to do whatever is required and plans to return to Thailand once his sentence is over.

He is in a solid relationship with a man in Thailand "who has been a rock" throughout the ordeal, he told Jackson.

Copyright 2007 The Star Phoenix, a division of Canwest MediaWorks Publication Inc. All Righ"

[Robski]

What i find astonishing is that you seem to be suggesting that anyone accused of this should be denied bail!! Kept in prison on remand because they are accused of something with nothing proved? Are you serious ?

Its called a civilised society ...its what separates us from the animals . Its strange how presumably otherwise intellegent people are moved to make stupid posts as soon as anyone is "accused" of anything to do with children. If he had murdered someone in cold blood we wouldn't be seeing the same kind of hysterical posts as we are on this thread. Why is that? Is murder a lesser crime ?

Are you for real? Which civilised society are you talking about? If someone is accused of raping an eight year old girl, who's rights are being violated if the suspect is held in remand while the crime is investigated?, I think the fact that he did a runner to Thailand says it all, and what your saying is that his liberty is more important than childrens safety, Who are you trying to convince that is civilised?

Edited January 16, 2007 by Robski

[Ijustwannateach]

Sigh. One can at least hope that it's the current "crackdown" atmosphere that's weeding them out, and not that there are an unusually large number of them right now.

I'd like to remind everyone that out of literally thousands of foreign teachers in Thailand these are the extreme criminal crazy exceptions, and that the schools should also be held responsible for their poor judgment.

Most foreign teachers I know are normal people with normal lives, who even occasionally have teaching successes such as getting someone into a good college here or abroad or having students score exceptionally well on entrance tests.

Thailand, its children, students, schools, and teachers don't need anyone with any hint of criminal background- I'm glad to see them caught and removed.

"Steven"