RACHATA BURASITE FROM HALSTEAD EXPOSED IN CANADA FOR ONLINE CHILD LURING

In December 2008, a disturbing case involving a convicted paedophile from Essex has come to light, highlighting the dangers of online interactions and the risks faced by minors. Rachata Burasite, a resident of Halstead, had previously served time in prison for luring a 13-year-old girl from Canada over the internet. His return to the UK has now brought renewed attention to his criminal activities and the ongoing threat posed by online predators.

According to reports, Burasite first connected with the young girl approximately two years prior on Gaia Online, a popular social networking platform that allows users to create profiles and engage in chat conversations. Gaia Online boasts a user base of over three million members worldwide, making it a significant space for social interaction, but also a potential avenue for exploitation.

Earlier this year, customs officers at Vancouver International Airport became suspicious of Burasite during a routine check. His behavior prompted further questioning, which ultimately led to the involvement of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). The authorities confirmed that Burasite and the girl had been communicating online and via SMS for nearly two years before they decided to meet in person.

Pc Rosiane Racine, a member of Canada’s integrated child exploitation unit, explained that the pair was aware of each other's age differences but not the full extent. She stated, “They spent almost two years chatting online and by SMS before they decided to meet each other. The girl knew he was older, but not how much.”

When Burasite arrived in Vancouver, a customs officer sensed something was amiss and began to question him. This suspicion led to a police call, revealing that he was in the city with the intent to meet a 13-year-old girl for sexual activity. The authorities discovered that Burasite planned to stay in Vancouver for a month, a plan that was abruptly halted by law enforcement.

The girl’s parents were left devastated upon learning of the situation, expressing their distress over the potential harm their child was exposed to. Burasite was subsequently charged with “child luring” over the internet. He pleaded guilty to the offence in October, acknowledging his actions.

In the subsequent legal proceedings, Burasite was sentenced to six months in jail last month. However, due to the time he had already spent in custody prior to his plea, he was deported back to the United Kingdom on November 20. Following his return, he was placed on the sex offenders’ register, marking a significant step in the ongoing efforts to monitor and prevent such cases.

Pc Racine emphasized the importance of awareness regarding online safety, stating, “The internet can be a wonderful tool to learn and communicate, but it can also be very dangerous if encountering the wrong people.” She also noted that Burasite was unavailable for comment last night, leaving many questions about his current intentions and future actions.