Kiwi sex offender released on royal pardon from Cambodia

A New Zealander jailed for sex offences in Cambodia received a royal pardon and was deported back home yesterday after serving 11 years of a 20-year sentence.

In 2004, Graham Cleghorn was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment, convicted of raping five young women who were employed at his Cambodian home.

Yesterday, the 66-year-old arrived at Wellington Airport under mysterious circumstances. But today, the Cambodian Daily has revealed that Cleghorn was released on the king's birthday as part of a royal pardon.

It quoted the head of investigations at the Interior Ministry' immigration department, Uk Heisela, as saying Cleghorn was pardoned for the king's birthday and released before the end of his sentence.

Cleghorn received the pardon on May 8, ahead of the king's May 14 birthday. He was deported yesterday.

Cleghorn always denied the charges against him in Cambodia, claiming he was the victim of corruption. He alleged the young women who accused him were kidnapped and bribed into making rape allegations by people who wanted his land.

New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade had raised concerns that Cleghorn was denied the right to a fair trail when he was granted an appeal in 2006, but wasn't told about it or represented.

A police spokesman says they were aware of Cleghorn's return.

The spokesman said as is normal following the deportation of a New Zealander who has served time overseas, police will now talk to Cleghorn and any information gathered will be shared with other districts as necessary.

http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/kiwi-sex-offender-released-royal-pardon-cambodia-6330401