RODERICK BEAUMONT: DUNDEE AND AIRDRIE NORTH SEX OFFENDER ON THE RUN IN MEXICO AND ALBANIA

In a series of disturbing developments spanning several years, Roderick Beaumont, a convicted sex offender originally from Dundee and later associated with Airdrie North, has been at the center of multiple criminal cases involving child grooming, sexual abuse, and flight from justice. His criminal activities, attempts to evade sentencing, and subsequent international flight have drawn widespread condemnation and concern for public safety.

In March 2021, Beaumont was finally sentenced after a long history of criminal behavior and flight. The 65-year-old, who once worked as a teacher and later styled himself as a lifestyle and youth impact coach, had previously been convicted of a historic sexual assault on a child during his tenure as an educator. His criminal record also includes a conviction for sending sexual messages to a minor and a series of other offenses dating back to the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Beaumont’s flight from justice began in December 2016, when he was due to be sentenced at Airdrie Sheriff Court for grooming a child. Instead of appearing in court, he managed to board a flight from Edinburgh Airport to Albania, carrying approximately 9,000 euros in cash. Border security officials at Edinburgh Airport had been alerted by security staff about Beaumont’s possession of the large sum of money. When questioned, Beaumont claimed he was traveling to multiple European destinations—Amsterdam, Rome, and finally Tirana in Albania—and that the cash was intended for a property investment for himself and his mother. His story appeared consistent at the time, and he was allowed to proceed with his journey.

However, subsequent investigations revealed that Beaumont was a registered sex offender who had failed to notify authorities of his travel plans, breaching the terms of his registration. Despite this, border police did not prevent his departure. It was later uncovered that Beaumont had not returned to the UK after his flight and had instead traveled to Mexico, where he married a woman and was working as a life coach specializing in “youth impact coaching.” The National Crime Agency located him in Mexico in March 2019, and he was deported back to the UK in December 2020.

During his court appearances, Beaumont admitted to failing to inform police of his travel plans between November 22 and December 3, 2016. His criminal record includes a conviction from October 2016 at Airdrie Sheriff Court for sending sexual messages to a 14-year-old boy. Additionally, in 2016, Beaumont pleaded guilty to grooming a schoolboy on social media, which he did between December 30, 2016, and January 24, 2017. He was also convicted in his absence at Warwick Crown Court for sexually attacking a child between 1979 and 1981, a crime for which he received a four-year sentence and was placed on the sex offender register for life.

Further complicating his criminal history, Beaumont was convicted in Solihull for child sex abuse related to a school trip over 30 years ago. The court sentenced him to four years in prison, with a two-thirds minimum to serve before parole eligibility, and extended his license period to five years. The judge described Beaumont as a “clear and present danger to children,” emphasizing the breach of trust and grooming behaviors involved in his offenses.

In 2017, Beaumont was found in Mexico attempting to purchase yoga props used for teaching children, raising suspicions that he was still involved in inappropriate activities. The owner of a US-based costume company identified Beaumont as the individual who contacted her to order religious robes and monk outfits, which he claimed were for yoga classes. The owner expressed concern that Beaumont, who now called himself Rodrigo de la Cruz, might be trying to communicate with children online, given his history and the fact that he had supplied images of religious robes that matched those associated with his criminal profile.

Multiple victims have come forward, recounting their experiences of abuse by Beaumont in the United States during the 1980s and in the UK. One victim described how Beaumont, posing as a trusted figure, sexually abused him while he was a cadet in the Civil Air Patrol and a flight student. The victim detailed how Beaumont’s grooming and abuse led to long-term psychological trauma, including self-harm and substance abuse. Another victim, who was a child at the time, recounted how Beaumont, then a teacher at a Solihull school, took him from his bed during a school trip and engaged in sexual acts, actions that only came to light years later.

Despite his absence from court, Beaumont’s criminal record continues to grow. In recent proceedings at Dundee Sheriff Court, he pleaded guilty via video link to sending sexual messages to a minor between December 2015 and January 2016. The court issued a warrant for his arrest, and he was placed on the sex offender register. His lawyer indicated that Beaumont was no longer working or claiming benefits, and a full risk assessment was ordered before sentencing. The sheriff emphasized the seriousness of the case and the potential danger Beaumont poses to children, especially considering his extensive travel history and international residence.

Throughout his criminal career, Beaumont has portrayed himself as a motivational and inspirational coach, claiming to have traveled to 138 countries and worked in 23 nations. His online interviews and self-promotion emphasize his ability to empower clients and “unleash inner potential,” but his past actions starkly contrast with these claims. Authorities remain vigilant, and efforts continue to locate and prosecute Beaumont for his ongoing criminal activities and breaches of legal obligations. His case underscores the persistent threat posed by individuals who exploit trust and manipulate their positions of influence to commit heinous crimes against children.