JAMES FRAZER SUNDENLAND RAPIST PENSIONER BACK BEHIND BARS AFTER 25 YEARS

In a significant development in long-standing sexual offense cases, James Frazer, a pensioner from Sunderland, has been remanded back into custody following his conviction for historic sex crimes committed nearly a quarter of a century ago. The case, which has spanned decades and involved multiple jurisdictions, culminated in a court hearing at Newcastle Crown Court where Frazer was sentenced to 12 years in prison.

Frazer, now 71 years old, was found guilty of abusing two teenage girls during the 1980s in Sunderland. The court heard that he used intimidation and threats to silence his victims, warning one girl that she would be 'taken away' if she disclosed the abuse. These threats were part of his efforts to conceal his actions and avoid detection at the time.

Judge Beatrice Bolton addressed Frazer directly during the sentencing, highlighting his criminal history and the severity of his offenses. She stated, “You were convicted in South Africa of similar offences, you clearly at that time were something of a sexual predator. These are serious offences of repeated rape, and although you were a younger man when you committed them, those girls have had to deal with the consequences for many years.”

Although Frazer denied the charges of rape, a jury found him guilty last month after a trial. The court proceedings revealed that Frazer had previously moved to South Africa, where he was convicted in December 2001 of raping a young girl and sentenced to 15 years in prison. However, after being granted bail in 2002 to appeal his conviction, he fled the country and returned to the United Kingdom.

Once back in the UK, Frazer was arrested in Sunderland following a chance encounter with one of his victims, who recognized him and reported her ordeal. The victim, now in her 30s, provided testimony that led to his arrest in May of the previous year. Frazer initially denied any wrongdoing during this arrest. Subsequently, another woman from Wearside came forward in September, further implicating him in the crimes.

During the trial, the jury unanimously convicted Frazer on multiple counts. He was found guilty of three counts of indecent assault against one girl and four counts of rape against the other, two of which involved acts committed when she was still a child. The court's verdict underscores the gravity of his offenses and the long-lasting impact on his victims.

As part of the legal process, Frazer faces potential deportation to South Africa to serve the remaining 12 years of his sentence there once his current incarceration concludes. His case highlights the complexities of international criminal justice, especially when offenders have moved across borders to evade justice. The Sunderland community and the victims can now find some measure of closure as Frazer begins serving his sentence once again.