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Maple Ridge man jailed for sex crimes abroad back home

Christopher Paul Neil was imprisoned in Thailand for sex offences against boys. He arrested at Vancouver airport on Friday.
2329mapleridgeInterpolphoto
Christopher Paul Neil was the subject of an international manhunt in 2007 after Interpol unscrambled digitally swirled images of him allegedly engaging in sexual acts with young boys. Interpol received more than 300 tips from the public in response to the world-wide appeal.

A Maple Ridge man convicted of sex offences in Thailand was arrested at Vancouver International Airport on Friday, according to police.

Christopher Paul Neil, 37, was returning to Canada from Bangkok where he was imprisoned for the past five years after being found guilty of sexually abusing young boys.

The RCMP's Integrated Child Exploitation unit obtained a warrant for Neil's arrest under a rarely used section of the Criminal Code that's designed to protect the public before a criminal offence has been committed.

Police allege Neil's actions cause fear of sexual offences to persons under the age of 16.

"Christopher Neil has no criminal record in Canada, but his actions in other countries were such that police felt important to have him appear in front of a court so any public safety concerns can be addressed," said Cpl. Mat. Van Laer.

Neil has been remanded in custody until Monday, Oct. 1, when he is scheduled to appear in Richmond Provincial Court. Crown will likely apply for a Section 810 peace bond, which is a preventative court order requiring an individual to agree to specific conditions, similar to bail.

Neil was the subject of an international manhunt in 2007 after Interpol unscrambled digitally swirled images of him engaging in sexual acts with young boys.

After the Interpol warrant was issued, Neil fled from South Korea, where he was teaching English, to Thailand.

Neil attended the Seminary of Christ the King in Mission from 1995 to 1999 and received a B.C. independent teaching certificate in 2000.

He volunteered at St. Patrick's Catholic School in Maple Ridge in 2000 and 2001 and was a substitute teacher at Arch Bishop Carney in Port Coquitlam for five days in April and May of 2007.

There are no allegations of abuse against him while he was teaching in B.C.