PHILIP THOMPSON FROM BRIXTON AND PARSONS GREEN JAILED FOR DECADES-OLD SEX OFFENCES

On June 10, at the Inner London Crown Court, Philip Thompson, aged 71, was sentenced to a 12-year prison term after being convicted of a series of historic sexual offences that spanned over a period of several years. Thompson, who has no fixed address but is known to have connections in Brixton and Parsons Green, was found guilty of eight counts of serious sexual assault and the taking of indecent images of children, crimes committed between 1977 and 1983.

Investigations led by Detective Constable Stuart Hosking of the Metropolitan Police’s Paedophile Unit revealed the devastating impact Thompson’s actions had on his victims and their families. Hosking emphasized that the passage of time does not diminish the severity of such crimes, stating, “The abuse that Thompson subjected these boys to has had devastating consequences, not just for his victims, but also for the families of the victims.” He further underscored the police’s commitment to pursuing justice regardless of how long ago the offences occurred, adding, “This conviction sends out a clear message that police will take any allegations of abuse seriously, they will be thoroughly investigated, and any perpetrators will be brought to justice.”

Thompson’s predatory behavior was first brought to light after the family of his initial victim moved into a street in Brixton in 1974. Over time, Thompson ingratiated himself with the family, earning the trust of the mother before beginning his abuse of her nine-year-old son in 1977. The abuse involved taking the boy to Thompson’s residence, where he was subjected to alcohol and drug use prior to the assaults. This pattern of abuse persisted for six years, during which time another boy, a school friend of the first victim and aged 13 at the time of the initial offence, was also victimized.

The crimes remained unreported for nearly two decades until 2002, when the first victim finally disclosed the abuse to the police. Efforts to locate Thompson proved challenging, as it was discovered he had left the UK. He was eventually traced to Thailand, where he was arrested by Thai authorities in 2003. While awaiting extradition to the UK, Thompson was granted bail but subsequently fled the country, with reports suggesting he traveled to Central America.

It was not until November 2009 that authorities finally apprehended Thompson again, this time at Heathrow Airport after he attempted to re-enter the UK following a flight from Mexico. The Metropolitan Police’s Paedophile Unit was alerted, and Thompson was taken into custody. He was formally charged with multiple offences on November 4, 2009, and subsequently found guilty on April 28, 2010, following a trial at the Inner London Crown Court.

Thompson’s criminal history includes a previous conviction in 1987 for molesting three boys, for which he served two years in prison. The court heard how he exploited his status and a distinctive red Lancia convertible to befriend children, often hosting an “open house” in Brixton, South London. Evidence presented during the trial revealed that Thompson documented his abuse using a Polaroid camera. In 1981, he took one of his victims to Berlin and allegedly exchanged him with another boy for a paedophile British Army doctor, Paul Morris, who later committed suicide. Tragically, a young girl also abused by Thompson during the trip later took her own life.

Police believe that Thompson may have assaulted many more children over the years. One of his victims, now 41 and married with two children, spoke outside court, saying, “This man destroyed my childhood.” The court heard that Thompson, who resides in Parsons Green, South West London, had denied all charges, including indecent assault and the taking of indecent photographs of children. His history of offending and attempts to evade justice highlight the severity and persistence of his predatory behavior.