A drug dealer described as a “sadistic bully” has been jailed for 19 years after being extradited in 2025, from Thailand to the UK, where he was convicted of torturing and imprisoning vulnerable women. Vincent Agar, 80, carried out prolonged attacks on one woman and threatened another in Middlesbrough between 1998 and 2000, Durham Crown Court heard. His conviction has brought long-awaited relief to the victims, one of whom said she had her “best night’s sleep in years” after the verdict.

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The court was told Agar, then a crack cocaine dealer in his 50s, targeted a vulnerable woman in her 20s after she stole from him. He tied her up while she was unconscious and subjected her to hours of abuse using knives, boiling water, cigarettes and tools at a house on Clarendon Road. Prosecutors described his actions as “sadistic” and equivalent to torture, including threats to dispose of her body.

The woman escaped after about eight hours by climbing out of a window while Agar went to obtain drugs, but was later recaptured and held for a further three days at his Parliament Road home. During that time, she suffered burns, injuries and humiliation, including having clumps of her hair cut off. A second woman was also imprisoned for about an hour after witnessing another young woman tied to a radiator and was threatened with being shot if she spoke out.

Both victims described lasting psychological harm, with one saying the abuse marked the “start of [her] downward spiral” into addiction. The second woman said she had lived with guilt for decades for not helping the victim she saw, adding that the experience left her unable to trust others and fearful of being locked indoors. The court also heard Agar had a criminal record of 40 offences, including a previous conviction for wounding a partner he held captive.

In mitigation, the defence said Agar’s actions were driven by heavy crack cocaine use at the time, though he had since addressed his addiction and started a family in Thailand, where he had been living prior to extradition. Judge Richard Bennett rejected any leniency, calling Agar a “violent and sadistic bully” who used his position to control vulnerable women and inflicted “psychological terror”.

The judge said Agar’s crimes were “sickening and cruel” and noted he had evaded justice for more than 20 years. He added that the 80-year-old would likely die in prison or be released at an age where he would no longer pose a threat.

The BBC reported that Agar will now serve his sentence in the UK following his extradition from Koh Samui in Surat Thani province. The case highlights the long reach of justice in historic abuse cases and the enduring impact on victims decades later.

Picture courtesy of BBC

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Adapted by ASEAN Now BBC 1 May 2026

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Sadistic evil old bugger.

Glad to hear he won't be on the streets again!

How can Thailand keep out dangerous men like this guy and the likes of the t*** that refused to pay his dental bill. Reducing stays won't help.. Right? Sooooo?

Hopefully he will experience role reversal in jail while living out his 'golden years'.

Just now, 1happykamper said:

How can Thailand keep out dangerous men like this guy and the likes of the t*** that refused to pay his dental bill. Reducing stays won't help.. Right? Sooooo?

He was extradited from Thailand...Thailand didn't keep him out he was let in just like the tooth fairy.

Just now, 1happykamper said:

How can Thailand keep out dangerous men like this guy and the likes of the tw+t that refused to pay his dental bill. Reducing stays won't help.. Right? Sooooo?

Give us statistics please? You make it sound like every 2nd person that arrives in Thailand is dangerous.

1. supply the total number of visits per month (you can choose any 1 month)

2. supply the total number of high risk crimes committed within Thailand for that month you chose

3. finally, from the stats above, work out a % of travellers than cause high risk crimes.

Just now, blaze master said:

He was extradited from Thailand...Thailand didn't keep him out he was let in just like the tooth fairy.

Correct... also we do not know how long this guy had been living in Thailand. Maybe he arrived decades ago before Interpol was informed of his crimes. Maybe this old geezer was still laying low-key, no visa, no TM30, didnt venture out, staying at a rural property (not in his name) and had regular beer runs / food runs come to his house, to be picked up by Thai partner (maybe)

3 hours ago, jacko45k said:

Sadistic evil old bugger.

Glad to hear he won't be on the streets again!

It would have been better to have kept him in Thailand and booked him into the Bangkok Hilton for 15 years because that's all this mongrel deserves.

How did he evade capture for 20 years

"Good guys in, bad guys out"

Got what he deserved may he rot in prison

Need more Judges like the guy who sentenced him

Just now, shackleton said:

Got what he deserved may he rot in prison

Need more Judges like the guy who sentenced him

I agree- and am happy that this piece of scum will die in prison

Just now, crazykopite said:

How did he evade capture for 20 years

They didn’t know where he was?

Bless, he’ll be out just in time to receive his 100th birthday message from the king ( not Charles obviously- he’ll be dead!)

Just now, shackleton said:

Got what he deserved may he rot in prison

Need more Judges like the guy who sentenced him

He’s largely got away with it. Had he been captured when in his 50s he’d have lost 19 years of the good years in his life. Now at 80 he’ll just do very few more years putting his feet up , being looked after at no cost and then shuffle off. Result !

8 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

The BBC reported that Agar will now serve his sentence in the UK following his extradition from Koh Samui

He is (very) lucky...

Some Man, I'd love 15 minutes in a locked empty room with him only one person coming out vertical and it ain't gonna be him. 😡🤬🤬

Just now, damo1967 said:

Maybe he arrived decades ago before Interpol was informed of his crimes

Where was it reported that Interpol, or an Interpol notice, was involved in this case?

Just now, wavodavo said:

It would have been better to have kept him in Thailand and booked him into the Bangkok Hilton for 15 years because that's all this mongrel deserves.

He was not alleged to have committed any crimes in Thailand so what would it have to do with Thai authorities?

Just now, crazykopite said:

How did he evade capture for 20 years

By leaving the UK and moving to Thailand without, presumably, informing the UK authorities.

Just now, Chongalulu said:

Bless, he’ll be out just in time to receive his 100th birthday message from the king ( not Charles obviously- he’ll be dead!)

No he won't, even if he lives that long. To receive the King's birthday greeting requires him to be in receipt of a state pension or benefits as DWP is where the initial notification comes from. Unless, of course, a third party notifies the authorities and requests the greeting which in all likelihood would be greeted with great joy by the King.

Just now, Toby1947 said:

Some Man, I'd love 15 minutes in a locked empty room with him only one person coming out vertical and it ain't gonna be him. 😡🤬🤬

Wow, a keyboard hardman boasting of his ability to do an 80 year old. So 'ard.

Just now, crazykopite said:

How did he evade capture for 20 years

Simples. He moved to Thailand.

And 30 or 60 days visa exempt will make no difference at all to these types. Far more sensible to restrict problem countries and come down really hard on those who abuse the privilege.

With 40 criminal prior offences, how on earth did he get into Thailand?

Just now, 1happykamper said:

How can Thailand keep out dangerous men like this guy and the likes of the tw+t that refused to pay his dental bill. Reducing stays won't help.. Right? Sooooo?

Time to have dangerous criminal convictions listed on Passports and Driving licences as a deterrent to committing crimes in the 1st place. Big Brother is Watching YOU

Just now, Lacessit said:

With 40 criminal prior offences, how on earth did he get into Thailand?

Seriously?

At what point would his past have been checked do you think?

Crimes were committed in UK, remember.

Just now, Toby1947 said:

Some Man, I'd love 15 minutes in a locked empty room with him only one person coming out vertical and it ain't gonna be him. 😡🤬🤬

Like beating up codgers, do ye?

Just now, Legal Lifeline said:

I agree- and am happy that this piece of scum will die in prison

Bad luck to revel in another's suffering.

The two worst stains on any family are: She committed suicide or He died in prison. These are not the family stories anyone wants to tell.

Just now, unblocktheplanet said:

The two worst stains on any family are: She committed suicide or He died in prison. These are not the family stories anyone wants to tell.

What about “We had no idea he liked little boys”? Try telling that story