FREDERICK STEPHENS FROM MARGATE BANNED FROM ASIA AND TURKEY IN HISTORIC CRACKDOWN

On May 10, 2010, a significant development in international crime prevention occurred when Frederick Stephens, a 55-year-old man from Margate, Kent, became the first UK-registered sex offender to be subjected to a comprehensive ban from traveling across an entire continent. This unprecedented measure was part of a broader effort to enhance the control and monitoring of individuals deemed to pose a serious risk to public safety.

Stephens, who had previously been convicted and registered as a sex offender in 2001 for his involvement in a global child pornography ring, was sentenced to serve time in prison. His criminal record and subsequent actions raised concerns among law enforcement authorities, particularly regarding his intentions to travel to the Philippines, where he reportedly planned to 'buy a wife or girlfriend.'

Following his release from incarceration, authorities feared that Stephens might attempt to return to the Philippines, prompting magistrates to impose a travel ban that extended until 2013. This ban marked a significant shift in the legal approach to managing sex offenders, as it increased the maximum duration of travel restrictions from six months to five years, allowing for more rigorous oversight.

Details emerged that Stephens had made a secret trip to the Philippines, despite being on the sex offenders register for life. Kent Police expressed particular concern that he might attempt to re-enter the country or travel elsewhere in Asia or Turkey, which led to the implementation of the continent-wide ban. Detective Chief Inspector Paul Fotheringham emphasized the importance of this measure, stating, "It’s a first. We have more control and the ability to continually monitor an individual who poses a potential risk."

Further background revealed that Stephens had previously breached legal obligations related to his sex offender status. In October 2009, he was sentenced to 14 months in prison for what a judge described as 'just about the most flagrant breach of the law.'

As part of his registration requirements, Stephens was obliged to inform police of any travel plans. However, he failed to disclose his intended trip to the Philippines, claiming instead that he was visiting Turkey. His trip to the Philippines was facilitated by Robert Baird, a former co-accused who had settled there and invited Stephens to visit. Prosecutor Denzil Pugh explained that due to the lower age of consent and the reputation of the islands, Stephens would not have been permitted to visit had he been truthful with authorities.

Historical court records show that Stephens had appeared at Kingston Crown Court in February 2001 for conspiracy to distribute indecent images. Later, in November 2003, he was jailed again for possessing indecent images and failing to notify authorities of a change in circumstances. Initially sentenced to ten years on the sex offenders register, his term was later extended to life at a sentencing in Croydon.

During his time in Margate, Stephens provided police with his details and claimed he was traveling to Turkey. He was away for approximately three months, and upon his return, police examined his passport and discovered stamps from the Philippines. Stephens claimed he was unaware that he needed to inform authorities about all destinations, a statement that raised further concerns.

In interviews, Stephens admitted that he felt hopeless about his prospects in the UK and had traveled to the Philippines with the hope of starting anew. He acknowledged that he had met an 18-year-old woman, who was now 19, and had developed a relationship with her. His defense attorney, Peter Forbes, argued that Stephens knew the police would not permit him to visit the Philippines and that his deception was an attempt to conceal his true intentions. Forbes emphasized that Stephens did not flee the country but returned after his trip.

Judge Timothy Nash sentenced Stephens to prison, describing his actions as 'just about the most flagrant breach of the law under the sexual offenders provisions I have come across.' The judge condemned Stephens for deliberately deceiving authorities to pursue his personal desires in the Philippines, underscoring the importance of the sex offenders register in protecting both the public and offenders themselves. He warned that failure to comply with registration and travel restrictions would result in severe penalties, as demonstrated in this case.