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BANGKOK, THAILAND–A British Columbia man who pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a 13-year-old Thai boy – and was caught after police digitally unswirled Internet photos hiding his face – was sentenced today to three years and three months in jail in Bangkok.
Christopher Paul Neil, 32, a Maple Ridge, B.C., native who taught school in several Asian countries, was arrested last year following an international manhunt after hundreds of photos of him engaging in sex acts with young boys were discovered on the Internet.
The Thai court also imposed a 60,000 baht ($1,889) fine on Neil, who pleaded guilty May 12. His initial sentence of six years, six months was reduced by the court because Neil pleaded guilty.
"Okay," was Neil's only comment to reporters after the verdict was read. His interpreter said Neil, dressed in a prison uniform and ankle chains, would not appeal.
Neil still faces similar charges, to which he has pleaded not guilty, involving the younger brother of the 13-year-old victim. In that case, he faces up to 20 years in jail for charges that include sexually abusing a minor, videotaping the alleged abuse, taking a child without parental consent, and holding him against his will.
The brother, who was 9 years old at the time, claims Neil paid him $15 to $30 to perform oral sex in 2003. That trial resumes on Oct. 7.
Neil was arrested in Thailand on Oct. 19, 2007, after German police unscrambled swirled digital images from about 200 Internet photos.
Associated Press
