Canadian Accused of Internet Sex Crimes Also under Investigation in B.C., CBC News, October 19, 2007

Canadian Accused of Internet Sex Crimes Also under Investigation in B.C.
'I Would like to See Him Come Back to Canada,' Says Brother

CBC News
October 19, 2007

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2007/10/19/bc-neilinvestigation.html?ref=rss

Christopher Neil, a Canadian arrested in Thailand on suspicion of sexually abusing young boys, is under investigation in B.C., the province's attorney general has confirmed.

Wally Oppal said the RCMP has received several claims from residents of Metro Vancouver alleging they were abused by Neil, although no charges have been laid in Canada.

The police investigation in this country is active and has been going on for some time, Oppal said.

B.C. Attorney General Wally Oppal told reports the RCMP are investigating allegation of sexual abuse of children by Christopher Paul Neil, who was arrested Friday in Thailand.

"The RCMP is investigating," said Oppal, "They have sent material over to our office and the criminal justice branch will determine whether or not charges will be laid. But I can safely say that's the direction in which we are now moving."

Neil, 32, of Maple Ridge, B.C., is now in custody in Bangkok following an international manhunt in connection with the alleged sexual abuse of boys in Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.

Neil's brother, Matthew Neil, said Friday the family is relieved his brother has been arrested in Thailand.

"I would like to see him come back to Canada," Matthew Neil said. "But I understand that it's an international incident … I understand the need for multinational involvement."

School students among alleged victims

Oppal said some of those in B.C. alleging they were abused by Neil were his students.

Neil taught at the Archbishop Carney Regional Secondary School in Port Coquitlam six months ago, the office of the archdiocese in Vancouver told CBC News.

Christopher Neil, right, attended Christ the King Seminary in Mission, B.C., but was not selected to go on to the priesthood.

In 2000 and 2001, Neil volunteered at Saint Patrick's School in Maple Ridge, as part of his training at the Seminary of Christ the King, where he was studying to become a priest, said Anne Kully, principal of Saint Patrick's.

Neil also worked as a chaplain and counsellor in the cadets, according to Capt. Hope Carr, a public affairs officer for the Canadian military.

Neil served with the cadets at Fort Qu'appelle, Sask., during the summer of 1997, then at HMCS Acadia in Cornwallis Park, N.S., during the summer of 1998 and 1999, and at the air cadets summer training centre in Greenwood, N.S., in the summer of 2000, the Department of National Defence says.