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17/07/2003
Ex-marine denies claims of abusing British schoolgirl
The former US marine arrested for running away with British schoolgirl Shevaun Pennington has denied having a sexual relationship with the 12-year-old.
Toby Studabaker (31) is being held in custody in Germany following his arrest in Frankfurt in a joint collaboration between Greater Manchester Police, German authorities and the FBI.
The ex-marine went missing with the schoolgirl on Saturday, sparking a four day manhunt during which police followed the pair's movements from airport to airport before apprehending Mr Studebaker in Germany on Wednesday afternoon. Shevaun returned to the UK to be reunited with her family in Manchester.
Appearing before a German court on Thursday morning, Mr Studabaker said that he did not have a sexual relationship with the girl, and that he will not be resisting extradition to the UK, where he could face charges of child abduction.
German authorities are reluctant to prosecute, stating that it was unlikely that any criminal activity in the case had occurred on German ground. Spokesperson for the General Prosecutor's Office, Hildegard Becker-Toussaint, added: "If a sexual offence was committed, it was probably not committed in Germany but in France. Any lawsuit would be in a British or French court."
Previous - although unproven - allegations of sexual misdemeanours involving underage girls surrounding Mr Studabaker are now starting to surface, as police investigations into the background of the case continue. Two girls from his home town of Three Rivers, Michigan, claim that they were victims of assault at the hands of Mr Studabaker, at the time reporting him to the police, although all charges were dropped. At the time, Mr Studabaker's wife was suffering from a rare form of bone cancer and later died from the illness.
(CL)
Toby Studabaker (31) is being held in custody in Germany following his arrest in Frankfurt in a joint collaboration between Greater Manchester Police, German authorities and the FBI.
The ex-marine went missing with the schoolgirl on Saturday, sparking a four day manhunt during which police followed the pair's movements from airport to airport before apprehending Mr Studebaker in Germany on Wednesday afternoon. Shevaun returned to the UK to be reunited with her family in Manchester.
Appearing before a German court on Thursday morning, Mr Studabaker said that he did not have a sexual relationship with the girl, and that he will not be resisting extradition to the UK, where he could face charges of child abduction.
German authorities are reluctant to prosecute, stating that it was unlikely that any criminal activity in the case had occurred on German ground. Spokesperson for the General Prosecutor's Office, Hildegard Becker-Toussaint, added: "If a sexual offence was committed, it was probably not committed in Germany but in France. Any lawsuit would be in a British or French court."
Previous - although unproven - allegations of sexual misdemeanours involving underage girls surrounding Mr Studabaker are now starting to surface, as police investigations into the background of the case continue. Two girls from his home town of Three Rivers, Michigan, claim that they were victims of assault at the hands of Mr Studabaker, at the time reporting him to the police, although all charges were dropped. At the time, Mr Studabaker's wife was suffering from a rare form of bone cancer and later died from the illness.
(CL)
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21 August 2003
Former US Marine extradited from Germany
A former US marine who was arrested in Germany for allegedly abducting a Manchester schoolgirl is being extradited back to Britain today. Toby Studabaker (31), from Michigan, USA, was arrested on July 17 at Frankfurt Airport in a joint operation between Greater Manchester Police, German authorities and the FBI.
Former US Marine extradited from Germany
A former US marine who was arrested in Germany for allegedly abducting a Manchester schoolgirl is being extradited back to Britain today. Toby Studabaker (31), from Michigan, USA, was arrested on July 17 at Frankfurt Airport in a joint operation between Greater Manchester Police, German authorities and the FBI.
02 April 2004
Ex-US Marine jailed for abducting teenager
A former US Marine who admitted abducting a 12-year-old girl from Manchester has been jailed today for four-and-a-half years. Toby Studabaker (32), from Michigan, USA, pleaded guilty to charges of abduction and incitement to gross indecency at his trial in Manchester Crown Court on February 12.
Ex-US Marine jailed for abducting teenager
A former US Marine who admitted abducting a 12-year-old girl from Manchester has been jailed today for four-and-a-half years. Toby Studabaker (32), from Michigan, USA, pleaded guilty to charges of abduction and incitement to gross indecency at his trial in Manchester Crown Court on February 12.
12 February 2004
Former US Marine admits abducting teenager
A former US Marine has pleaded guilty to charges of abducting a Manchester schoolgirl in July last year. Toby Studabaker (32), from Michigan, USA, pleaded guilty to charges of abduction and gross indecency at his trial in Manchester Crown Court today.
Former US Marine admits abducting teenager
A former US Marine has pleaded guilty to charges of abducting a Manchester schoolgirl in July last year. Toby Studabaker (32), from Michigan, USA, pleaded guilty to charges of abduction and gross indecency at his trial in Manchester Crown Court today.
16 July 2003
Missing schoolgirl is safe and well as ex-marine is arrested
Police have stated that missing British schoolgirl Shevaun Pennington is "safe and well" and in the UK, following the arrest in Germany of the former US marine who went missing with the 12-year-old. Toby Studabaker (31) was apprehended in Frankfurt as part of a joint effort by police forces from four different countries.
Missing schoolgirl is safe and well as ex-marine is arrested
Police have stated that missing British schoolgirl Shevaun Pennington is "safe and well" and in the UK, following the arrest in Germany of the former US marine who went missing with the 12-year-old. Toby Studabaker (31) was apprehended in Frankfurt as part of a joint effort by police forces from four different countries.
15 September 2015
Flypast Marks 75th Anniversary Of Battle Of Britain
Up to 40 Spitfire and Hurricane aeroplanes have participated in a flypast to mark the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. It is understood that it was the largest grouping of the planes since World War Two. The Battle of Britain, which saw the RAF engage German Luftwaffe, has been described as "a key moment in UK history".
Flypast Marks 75th Anniversary Of Battle Of Britain
Up to 40 Spitfire and Hurricane aeroplanes have participated in a flypast to mark the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. It is understood that it was the largest grouping of the planes since World War Two. The Battle of Britain, which saw the RAF engage German Luftwaffe, has been described as "a key moment in UK history".
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:It will be dry with a few cloud breaks developing later in the night. Feeling quite mild although breezy again in the north with brisk southwest winds. Minimum temperature 10 °C.
