MICHAEL THURMAN SENTENCED IN FUERTEVENTURA FOR CHILD SEX OFFENSES INVOLVING LEICESTERSHIRE VICTIM

In a significant development in the fight against child abuse, Michael Thurman, a man accused of heinous crimes against a young girl, has been finally apprehended and brought to justice. The case dates back to 2017 when the victim, a five-year-old girl from Leicestershire, disclosed details of the disturbing acts committed against her. These revelations prompted an extensive investigation by Leicestershire Police, who worked tirelessly to locate Thurman, then a fugitive.

Thurman, who was on the run for several years, managed to evade authorities by fleeing the United Kingdom. His escape led him to the Spanish island of Fuerteventura, part of the Canary Islands, approximately 1,800 miles away from his original location. The local Child Abuse Investigation Unit in Fuerteventura was alerted to his presence, and they coordinated with Spanish law enforcement agencies to facilitate his arrest.

To ensure his extradition back to the UK, authorities in Spain issued a European arrest warrant. The process was complex, involving legal procedures to transfer Thurman from Spanish custody to face trial in Leicester. After a lengthy legal process, Thurman was extradited and appeared before Leicester Crown Court to stand trial for his crimes.

Today, the court found Thurman guilty of multiple serious charges. A jury convicted him of three counts of sexual activity with a child and two counts of sexual assault of a child. The court sentenced the 78-year-old man, who resides in Valles de Ortega, Fuerteventura, to a prison term of seven years. Additionally, Thurman was ordered to be placed on the sex offenders register for life and is subject to a lifetime Sexual Harm Prevention Order, reflecting the severity of his crimes and the ongoing risk he poses.

Detective Constable Aisling McPhillips, the lead investigator in the case, expressed her thoughts following the sentencing. She emphasized that Thurman’s flight from justice was a clear indication of his awareness of the gravity of his actions. “The fact that Thurman fled the UK after the allegation was made is an obvious indicator he knew what he’d done – and that his actions were going to have serious consequences,” she stated. She further noted that Thurman believed he could escape punishment by fleeing not only Leicestershire but the entire country, which proved to be a misguided assumption.

McPhillips also praised the cooperation between UK and Spanish authorities, which was instrumental in bringing Thurman back to face justice. “We are grateful to the Spanish authorities for their help and co-operation which meant he has been brought back to face justice,” she added. Her hope is that the outcome of this case will provide some measure of closure for the young victim and her family, who endured a long and difficult journey to see justice served.

Overall, this case underscores the importance of international cooperation in tackling serious crimes, especially those involving vulnerable victims. It also serves as a stark reminder to offenders that attempting to evade justice is futile, and that law enforcement agencies across borders are committed to ensuring that justice is ultimately achieved.