British man who went 'missing' in Pattaya found to be in jail in UK on rape charges

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British man who went 'missing' in Pattaya found to be in jail in UK on rape charges

 John Stageman/File Photo

 

PATTAYA: -- Expats living in Pattaya concerned for the welfare of a British man who went ‘missing’ there were shocked to discover he is actually serving time in jail in the UK on child abuse charges.

 

It was initially believed that John Stageman, 74, may have been involved in some kind of accident or even died after suddenly disappearing in Pattaya more than one year ago.

 

The mystery surrounding Stageman’s whereabouts intensified last month when his restaurant named Starlight located in East Pattaya suddenly closed.

 

Trying to find answers, expats who knew Stageman contacted Thaivisa for further information, however, they were shocked to discover that he was serving an 18 year jail sentence for rape after being convicted in a court in the UK in October 2016.

 

The rape of the girl, who was just 7 years old at the time, took place during the 1980s at a guesthouse in Kent, England, which Stageman was running.

 

Years later he raped the victim again when she was an adult, only for her to become pregnant and not know if her husband or Stageman was the father. The woman later suffered a miscarriage.

 

Charges were first brought against him in 2005 but he was deemed unfit to stand trial.

 

However, when Stageman became aware of a second investigation in 2013 he fled to Thailand to escape arrest.

 

Stageman had been living in Pattaya, where he is still believed to own numerous properties.

 

Stageman was finally caught by the Thai authorities after a routine check on his immigration status found that he had overstayed his permission to remain in Thailand.

 

Having been made aware of the charges against him, the Thai authorities handed him over to the UK’s National Crime Agency. He later stood trial and was found guilty of all charges.

 

He is currently serving 18 years in jail and can not apply for parole until he is 86.

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2017-06-06

 

[balo]

Disgusting ! Yes now you can rot in jail and think about what you did to that young girl !

[Thaiwrath]

Justice !

[Jeremy50]

Unfit to stand trial in 2005 but fit enough to travel to Thailand and open a restaurant, where he thought he could live out the rest of his days a free man, while the victim suffers for eternity.  Pattaya, [first choice for these types followed by Cambodia] must have hundreds like this, spot checks on passports should be routine, in the streets and in apartment blocks, surely many would be caught.

[Khun Robert]

Is this really the way English justice system is working?

In 2005 seemed to be unfit for trail, than nothing happens till 2013. 8 years nothing?

He flied to Thailand and just because he had some overstay, Immigration took him and find out that he has been charged so they hand him over to UK’s National Crime Agency and they bring him to trail in 2017.

Good he is found guilty and locked up for 18 years, or will he be after a few years of the hook for good behavior and old age, not fit to stay in Prison or maybe: He have to take care the properties in Thailand so we give him a one way ticket.

[champers]

Better late than never. How did he get out of the UK?

[dabhand]

Some more detail on the case. Quite possible that he used the time honoured way to block any extradition attempts until the pressure mounted on Immigration to actually take some action. However, he seems to have left the UK rather easily.......

 

http://www.kentonline.co.uk/romney-marsh/news/child-rapist-jailed---decade-114901/

 

In 2012, after fresh allegations, the police called him in for questioning but he fled abroad and for three years – as prosecution lawyers attempted to get him extradited – he stayed in a country where Gary Glitter and other paedophiles had sought refuge.

It was only when his visa ran out that the Thai authorities threw him out and he was arrested when he landed back in the UK.

[trogers]

Never judge a book by its cover...

 

The wisdom of humanity, built on mountains of history and experiences.

[gk10002000]

3 hours ago, Jeremy50 said:

Unfit to stand trial in 2005 but fit enough to travel to Thailand and open a restaurant, where he thought he could live out the rest of his days a free man, while the victim suffers for eternity.  Pattaya, [first choice for these types followed by Cambodia] must have hundreds like this, spot checks on passports should be routine, in the streets and in apartment blocks, surely many would be caught.

One wonders why or if his passport was confiscated back in 2005. 

[ffaarraanngg]

just re read in England and 18 yrs must be evil for that long. Hope the .... gets cut up. Weekly for 18 yrs

Edited June 6, 2017 by ffaarraanngg

[RandolphGB]

The expats who were concerned about him had to go to ThaiVisa and ask them to Google his name

[pegman]

Top 3 most recently commented on Pattaya News stories about misbehaving Brits. Par for the course.

[champers]

There are more Brits here than any other English speakers, so that would stand to reason.

[wakeupplease]

Ah the long arm of the British law catches up with those who do a runner and go and hide in 3rd world countries. Like an Elephant it never forgets and you will do your time. Very please to see he has had to face the music. 18 years with no parole nice one.

 

How many more perverts are in hiding I wonder?

[Rhys]

 

 

Where is the most farang dense city up north and that big A mango?

[nausea]

What an interesting story, lots of food for thought there, and doesn't he just look the part. A real manipulator by the sound of it, and got away with it for so long; not only got away with it but prospered; and still would be doing so if one woman hadn't gone out on a limb. I mean being caught at 74 gives him an awfully long run and there's probably tons of stuff we don't know about. Good the psychiatrist in the most recent court case called time on his mind games, no remorse though - "stared arrogantly" at the ceiling as the verdict was read.

Edited June 7, 2017 by nausea
More info.

[Toshiba66]

14 hours ago, champers said:

Better late than never. How did he get out of the UK?

I believe he won a Thai Passport in a Red Bull Competition. It was a popular competition until it folded a few years back when it appeared to be won so many times by someone on the inside.

[LotusBoy]

Pattaya-Jail-same same really......both places he will get shafted right up the **se! But good on you ThaiVisa 

[steven100]

seems the brits trying to run and hide from the authorities end up in Pattaya .....    must be home of the Brit crims. ....

[cyberfarang]

5 hours ago, champers said:

There are more Brits here than any other English speakers, so that would stand to reason.

Sources of that information?

[hobobo]

4 hours ago, wakeupplease said:

Ah the long arm of the British law catches up with those who do a runner and go and hide in 3rd world countries. Like an Elephant it never forgets and you will do your time. Very please to see he has had to face the music. 18 years with no parole nice one.

 

How many more perverts are in hiding I wonder?

I guess when he is released aged 92 women could feel safer (one would hope so!) - even Viagra couldn't harden this paedo and rapist!

[Suradit69]

15 hours ago, champers said:

Better late than never. How did he get out of the UK?

Tea money and/or incompetence. They could advertise regular Flights For Fleeing Farangs and UK immigrations would probably give passengers fast track clearance.

[Orac]

I guess when he is released aged 92 women could feel safer (one would hope so!) - even Viagra couldn't harden this paedo and rapist!

He is not a threat to women - it was a 7 year old child he raped.

[Knee Jerk Reaction]

3 minutes ago, Orac said:

 

He is not a threat to women - it was a 7 year old child he raped.

 

From the article - 

 

Years later he raped the victim again when she was an adult, only for her to become pregnant and not know if her husband or Stageman was the father. The woman later suffered a miscarriage.

[Penicillin]

....and what became of his "many properties" ? Would be Justice if the victim received them in the form of criminal restitution.   

Who's hands are they in now ? 

 

[Sooo Upto Me]

Oh god, I use to know this guy when he woz the boss at Starlight restaurant/bar top of soi Kanoi. At the time he seemed a nice guy one of the more laid back ones, didn't drink never got in any disputes with customers. I know he had health probs & had go bac UK bout 4yrs ago that's las time I saw him. Then his ex wife from UK came over to manage the starlight with his Thai gf. It went downhill from there, i havnt been there for bout 2yrs. I wonder if his ex wife knew of his past?

I also know he had a couple of nice properties over here so was quite well off. Just shows you, cannot not trust anyone here. Criminal past, lies, dodgy money, All just a smokescreen.

Anyway glad he's gonna die in jail dirty old man. ??

[Orac]

From the article - 

 

Years later he raped the victim again when she was an adult, only for her to become pregnant and not know if her husband or Stageman was the father. The woman later suffered a miscarriage.

Apologies - missed that bit.

[hobobo]

15 minutes ago, Orac said:

 

He is not a threat to women - it was a 7 year old child he raped.

 

He raped her first when she was a 7 year old child. Years later he raped the same person again when she was an adult, i.e. a woman

[Kabula]

He will find justice in prison when his fellow romantics gang rape him!

[tomwct]

Hope he enjoys his holiday in prison.