The annals of law enforcement have been marked by another victory as a former entertainer for children, who was extradited from the sunny havens of Thailand to the serious confines of the United Kingdom, was ushered into jail on Monday. The charge: multiple sex offences involving children. The sentence: 30 chilling years. Paul McKee, the 57-year-old man at the centre of these chilling developments, originally hailed from Wallasey Village on Merseyside in the UK. His freedom was curtailed when he was gripped in the hands of the law in Thailand last September 2022, an operation overseen by the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB).
The chips started falling in place after that arrest, with his consequent extradition ensuring he was brought before a trial in Liverpool. The CIB Commissioner, Pol Lt Gen Jirabhop Bhuridej, shed light on the matter, post-sentencing, to the Bangkok Post. He mentioned the integral assistance of the National Crime Agency from the UK with the CIB in tightening the noose around McKee and ensuring his successful extradition. He pronounced, “It was a big crime case in the UK. All foreign suspects fleeing to Thailand will be arrested and deported [like McKee].”
A little more than a month ago, this chapter reached its climax when McKee was found guilty at the Liverpool Crown Court, which resulted in his 30-year jailing now. This is, however, not the end; four more years are added on an extended licence. The heinousness of McKee’s deeds found their way into the words of Detective Constable Graeme Beacall of Merseyside Police, who termed the offences as ‘truly horrific’ spanning several years and victims.
The investigation started unrolling in the year 2017 when victims began to surface. At that point, McKee had left the UK and settled in Thailand and didn’t return to the UK to play his part in the inquiries. However, the law ran its course, and when the Crown Prosecution Service greenlit the charges against him, McKee’s extradition set in motion. With the arrest executed by the Royal Thai Police in September 2022, McKee was set to engage the next phase of his story, first spending a period on remand in Bangkok before being returned to the UK.
McKee further complicated the situation by proclaiming his not-guilty stand, which inadvertently forced the victims to the ordeal of a court trial. Thankfully, as Detective Beacall pointed out, the bravery of the victims ensured justice was served, and McKee was sentenced to a considerable time behind bars. They hoped and wished that this sentence would provide victims with closure and an opportunity to move forward from this appalling episode.
In further words of inspiration, Beacall mentioned how this case proved that barriers of time and distance held no candle against justice. A special mention was given to the National Crime Agency and the Royal Thai Police for assisting in realizing justice for McKee.
Sharing a note of assurance was Dave Coyle, the National Crime Agency’s regional manager for Thailand. He was glad that the cooperative efforts of different police departments located, arrested, and extradited McKee, finally holding him responsible for his terrific crimes. This common narrative only proves that no matter how far or how long someone tries to run, the arms of justice always reach them eventually.
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