REGINALD BLAKELY'S SHOCKING REPRIEVE IN POOLE AND TORQUAY: BRITISH PAEDOPHILE'S CONTROVERSIAL RETURN FROM CAMBODIA

In a disturbing development that has sparked outrage among child protection advocates, Reginald Blakely, a 71-year-old man originally from Poole, Dorset, has been seen freely enjoying his time in Britain, specifically in the seaside towns of Poole and Torquay, despite his criminal record related to child abuse in Cambodia.

Blakely, a retired teacher, was convicted last year in Cambodia of sexually abusing five young boys aged between seven and 14. His conviction followed a trial in Siem Reap, where authorities found him guilty of indecent acts. The sentence handed down was two years in prison, with one year suspended, a ruling that many local and international child advocacy groups have condemned as excessively lenient. The court also imposed a fine of $5,000 and ordered Blakely to pay $150 in compensation to each of his victims.

Despite his conviction, Blakely was released after serving only a single year, a decision that has been widely criticized by organizations such as Action Pour Les Enfants. Campaigners argue that the leniency of his sentence may embolden other potential offenders and undermine efforts to combat child exploitation in Cambodia, a country that has become a hotspot for such crimes due to the availability of child sex for as little as 50p.

Blakely’s arrest in Cambodia occurred in January of the previous year when he was detained in Siem Reap during one of his frequent visits. Authorities there had gathered evidence, including footage captured by surveillance cameras, showing him approaching young boys outside schools and engaging in inappropriate conduct. Cambodian police reported that Blakely had been involved in abusing boys he met at porridge stalls outside educational institutions.

Following his arrest, Blakely was tried and convicted in Cambodia, but he returned to the UK before serving his full sentence. He was initially detained in 2010 after a tip-off from a British charity, but he was released due to insufficient evidence. He later returned to Cambodia multiple times, raising suspicions about his motives, which many believe were driven by a desire to exploit vulnerable children.

Recently, Blakely was spotted relaxing on a bench near the seafront in Torquay, holding a Bible and appearing to be a harmless, elderly gentleman. His demeanor, however, has been met with suspicion, especially considering his criminal history. When approached by a reporter from the Sunday People, Blakely claimed that he had been the victim of a frame-up orchestrated by corrupt Cambodian police and courts. He insisted, “I love children,” and shockingly revealed plans to travel to South America to assist impoverished children, despite being barred from returning to Cambodia due to his record.

Blakely’s presence in Britain has caused concern among local residents and child safety advocates. He currently resides in Torquay, where he claims to avoid children altogether, stating, “I was out on a life-long Sex Offenders’ Register which police have changed to 10 years. I have stopped going to two of the local churches because there are too many children there. I go to a church where the congregation are in their 70s and 80s.”

Authorities in Dorset have declined to comment on his 2010 arrest, and questions remain about how he has managed to return and remain in the UK despite his criminal record. The case continues to raise serious concerns about the effectiveness of monitoring and restrictions placed on convicted sex offenders, especially those with international criminal histories involving vulnerable children.