Latest news with #SeanStephenson
The Sun
19-07-2025
- The Sun
My autistic brother is stranded in Tokyo jail hell after drugs gang ‘sneaked meth into his luggage' on dream holiday
THE sister of an autistic teenager who is being detained in Japan on drug smuggling charges believes her brother was manipulated by gangs before he left the UK. Sean Stephenson, 18, from Charlton, London, was arrested at Tokyo airport last month with a suitcase containing more than 10kg of methamphetamine. 3 3 3 Ami Lee and her family believes Sean has been pressured and exploited by heartless underworld figures. He has multiple physical and mental health challenges and was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) aged five. Though legally an adult, Sean has a much younger mental age and is eager to make new friends - something his family say was taken advantage of. They claim he was groomed on UK soil before he was pressured into travelling, first to Portugal and then on to Toronto for five days. Sean then travelled to Tokyo and he was arrested on June 21 after he was found with a locked suitcase containing the methamphetamine. Ami last saw her younger brother on June 14 at her daughter's birthday party. Since then, she has been fighting to find out what's happening to her brother nearly 6,000 miles away and has started a crowdfunding appeal for £14,000 to pay for his legal fees. "My mind is a total blur- I haven't slept now for coming up two weeks," she said. "My life is really hectic, I'm looking after three children and I've now got to worry about my brother - I'm on the phone to Tokyo throughout the night. "He's on no communication so I can't get any contact anymore - I'm beyond worried now." New CCTV of Brit 'mule' Bella May Culley 'smuggling £200k of cannabis' released as cops slam her claims she was coerced Having never travelled abroad before, let alone by himself, Sean's disappearance stunned the entire family. "He kept saying he's going to go to Canada but we didn't really think much of it," Lee said. "I think until you've got a child that's autistic, you don't actually understand where I'm coming from with that." Sean then suddenly vanished overseas on Father's Day morning. Lee said: "He had never travelled alone before, and it was clear from our contact with him that he was frightened and confused. "We pleaded with him to come home." Soon after, his family received news that he had been detained in Japan and is now facing "consequences he can barely comprehend". Everything his family know about his movements is through the information provided by a solicitor in Japan, but his family cannot speak to him directly. Lee says that Sean was picked up outside a Nisa shop one morning by a man who had befriended him and escorted him to Heathrow Airport. Sean's phone and bank cards were taken and he was given a Nokia so he couldn't contact his family and arrangements were made for Sean to meet another man in Toronto. According to the solicitor, Sean received threats to "break his legs and hurt his family" if he didn't go to Canada. From Toronto he was handed the suitcase of drugs to take to Tokyo where he was told it was money to be dropped to a "friend", she claims. Lee then received a message from the solicitor on July 15 who said that according to the case record, the amount of methamphetamine he was carrying wasn't one or two kilos - but more than 10kg. She added that Sean has now been moved to a juvenile centre and could be potentially looking at over 10 years in prison. Lee said: "He's extremely vulnerable - his mental age is 12 to 13 years old. "He comes to my house, he plays with my children like children play. "He's very funny, he's very unique, he's so helpful and kind - he's my Mum's carer. "His nan passed away in February and was on palliative care - he did not leave her bedside and used to go and get her medication everyday from the chemist. "It's not an excuse because he's autistic and we understand he's going to be punished - but he actually doesn't understand what's going on. "How do I know if my brother's even going to come home?" Lee also said Sean has a history of self-harm, suicide attempts, and other medical conditions. 'Police have been disgusting' Sean's family don't know who got him involved in alleged drug smuggling and his sister was hesitant to speculate over fear of repercussions given the amount of drugs involved. But they say they reported allegations of grooming and exploitation at Plumstead Police Station on Tuesday, July 1. Lee claims that officers told her it was a matter for the NCA who then redirected her back to the police. She said: "The police have been disgusting. "I get that my brother has been detained abroad but a crime was taking place very close to his home. "He was picked up from the Nisa between 8am and 9am that morning and the guy took him in his car to Heathrow airport. "I'm just asking for CCTV of my brother at Heathrow Airport and the local shops to see who picked him up." When asked whether she had been able to obtain the CCTV, Lee responded: "No - the police say it isn't a crime, so no." She added: "They're passing the buck telling me to contact NCA. "The NCA laughed at me and said 'well, what do you want us to do?' "So both have been kind of saying it's not our problem." When The Sun contacted the NCA for comment, they said the matter is for the Foreign Office and that a criminal investigation taking place abroad is a matter for law enforcement in that country. They added that anyone wishing to report someone being the victim of the a crime in the UK would need to contact the police and that the NCA is not a public crime reporting body. The NCA can facilitate UK police to international requests but it would have to be initiated by the law enforcement bodies concerned. An FCDO spokesperson said: 'We are supporting a British man who is detained in Japan and are in contact with the local authorities.' When the Metropolitan Police were contacted for comment they claim to have no record of contact with Sean's family. This is despite Ami claiming she had visited the police station twice and was provided with a Crime Reference Number. The Sun previously reported how Australian national, Donna Nelson, was found guilty of smuggling 2kg of methamphetamine into Tokyo in 2023. She claimed she was the victim of an online romance scam but prosecutors sought a ten-year sentence and $30,000 fine after she was caught with the drug concealed in the bottom of her suitcase. Autism campaigner, Emma Dalmayne, who has launched a petition to help raise awareness of Sean's plight, said: "Sean is autistic, learning disabled and has a heart condition, he is extremely vulnerable. "The unpredictability and worry over what will happen to him will be causing him extreme anxiety which will cause harm to him. "Autistic people are targeted for grooming and mate crimes, what had happened here is a global case of county lines."
The Province
09-07-2025
- The Province
Autistic teen who came to Canada arrested in Japan after meth found in suitcase, family says
British national Sean Stephenson, 18, was 'exploited by individuals who took advantage of his vulnerability,' his family says Sean Stephenson, 18, has been arrested in Tokyo for smuggling. His family is trying to free him. Photo by Ami Lee A British family has set up a crowdfunding campaign in the hopes of raising money for the legal fees of Sean Stephenson, an autistic teenager who was arrested at Tokyo airport on June 21 with a suitcase containing 1.5 kilograms of methamphetamine. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors The family is adamant that Stephenson was allegedly the victim of gang members who befriended him and then apparently pressured him into travelling, first to Portugal, then Toronto, and finally Tokyo, where the arrest was made. Ami Lee, Stephenson's older sister, told National Post by phone that his disappearance surprised the entire family. 'Because of his autism he says things but sometimes it's not always true,' she said. 'He kept saying, 'I'm going to Canada.' We didn't actually think that he was going until we woke up and he was gone. We now know that he flew from Heathrow to Portugal and then to Canada. He stayed in Toronto for five days before he flew to Japan. And then at Japan, Tokyo is where he got caught and arrested.' Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Lee said Stephenson's original trip to Heathrow airport in London was with an older man who had befriended him. She said everything they know about the 18-year-old's movements is through the information provided by their lawyer. 'The man took Sean's phone and gave him a Nokia phone so Sean couldn't have contact with us,' she said. 'The man arranged for Sean to meet with another gentleman at a Toronto mall.' That man, she said, as per information shared by her lawyer, allegedly gave him the suitcase filled with drugs to bring to Tokyo. 'They told him it was money, that it was fine, 'you're just dropping it to our friend.' And obviously Sean believed them.' Lee said that they have hired an English-speaking lawyer in Japan to help her brother, but that the family hasn't been able to speak to him directly. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'He's on a no-contact ban,' she said. 'He's not allowed contact with us so we're paying for a lawyer. We only know by what she's telling us.' She added that the family is particularly worried because of her brother's childlike nature. 'He's 18 but his solicitor said you can tell he's a child,' she said. 'He's very child-minded. That's part of his autism.' Her page at has raised a little more than 1,000 pounds (about $2,000 Canadian) as of Tuesday. 'Help us bring Sean home,' the page reads. 'We are raising urgent funds for our beloved brother … who has been detained in Japan after being misled and exploited by individuals who took advantage of his vulnerability.' In continues: 'Sean is a kind, gentle, and trusting young man with autism and multiple physical and mental health challenges. Though legally an adult, he has a much younger mental age and has always been eager to make friends — a trait that, heartbreakingly, was manipulated by those with far worse intentions. Sean has never been in trouble with the law. He lives at home in London, where he helps care for our unwell mother. He's also a devoted uncle to his nine nieces and nephews.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The page concludes: 'Sean is not a criminal — he is a vulnerable young man who was preyed upon by those who saw his innocence as an opportunity. He deserves to be home with his family, not lost in a system he cannot navigate alone.' A petition at is also trying to raise awareness of Stephenson's case. 'Sean is currently in a Japanese prison after being found with Meth in a locked suitcase,' the petition reads. 'Sean has said he did not know what was in the case, but was threatened with having his legs broken and harm to his family if he didn't take it with him on a flight to Japan.' It adds: 'We are taking this petition to the Japanese Embassy and the Foreign Office to ask that Sean's needs be taken into account.' Lee said the family has gone to the police but added: 'The U.K. police have been no help whatsoever. So we're trying our best to get him off but obviously it's a high conviction rate out there. Japan has a 99.9 per cent conviction rate for that. It's a very serious crime in Japan but we're working with these lawyers to get all his medical forms and everything together.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The case has received coverage in the British press, including stories in the Daily Mail and the Mirror. The Mirror quoted a spokesperson for Britain's National Crime Agency, who said: 'Investigations abroad were a matter for local authorities.' They added: 'The NCA's international functions can facilitate U.K. Law Enforcement to international requests. This remains a matter for the Met Police and you may speak to the FCDO regarding any consular assistance.' A spokesperson for the country's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) then told the Mirror: 'We are supporting a British man who is detained in Japan and are in contact with the local authorities.' The Daily Mail noted a case last year in which Australian national Donna Nelson was jailed for six years after being found guilty of smuggling 2 kilograms of meth into Tokyo, despite her claims she had been the victim of an online romance scam. Prosecutors had asked for a 10-year sentence and a $30,000 fine after she was caught with the drugs concealed in the bottom of her suitcase. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Stephenson's mother, Star Lee, told the Mail: 'I'm just so sad for Sean. I can't explain how I am feeling. It's a traumatic experience for all the family. We have not been allowed any direct contact with him. We hear all these bad things about prisons abroad. We don't know what's happening and we are just praying he is safe.' Read More Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our newsletters here. News Vancouver Whitecaps Life Crime Deals
National Post
08-07-2025
- National Post
Autistic U.K. teen who told family 'I'm going to Canada' later detained in Japan on drug charges
A British family has set up a crowdfunding campaign in the hopes of raising money for the legal fees of Sean Stephenson, an autistic teenager who was arrested at Tokyo airport on June 21 with a suitcase containing 1.5 kilograms of methamphetamine. Article content The family is adamant that Stephenson was allegedly the victim of gang members who befriended him and then apparently pressured him into travelling, first to Portugal, then Toronto, and finally Tokyo, where the arrest was made. Article content Article content Article content Ami Lee, Stephenson's older sister, told National Post by phone that his disappearance surprised the entire family. Article content Article content 'Because of his autism he says things but sometimes it's not always true,' she said. 'He kept saying, 'I'm going to Canada.' We didn't actually think that he was going until we woke up and he was gone. We now know that he flew from Heathrow to Portugal and then to Canada. He stayed in Toronto for five days before he flew to Japan. And then at Japan, Tokyo is where he got caught and arrested.' Article content Lee said Stephenson's original trip to Heathrow airport in London was with an older man who had befriended him. She said everything they know about the 18-year-old's movements is through the information provided by their lawyer. Article content 'The man took Sean's phone and gave him a Nokia phone so Sean couldn't have contact with us,' she said. 'The man arranged for Sean to meet with another gentleman at a Toronto mall.' Article content That man, she said, as per information shared by her lawyer, allegedly gave him the suitcase filled with drugs to bring to Tokyo. 'They told him it was money, that it was fine, 'you're just dropping it to our friend.' And obviously Sean believed them.' Article content Article content Lee said that they have hired an English-speaking lawyer in Japan to help her brother, but that the family hasn't been able to speak to him directly. Article content Article content 'He's on a no-contact ban,' she said. 'He's not allowed contact with us so we're paying for a lawyer. We only know by what she's telling us.' Article content She added that the family is particularly worried because of her brother's childlike nature. 'He's 18 but his solicitor said you can tell he's a child,' she said. 'He's very child-minded. That's part of his autism.' Article content Her page at has raised a little more than 1,000 pounds (about $2,000 Canadian) as of Tuesday. Article content 'Help us bring Sean home,' the page reads. 'We are raising urgent funds for our beloved brother … who has been detained in Japan after being misled and exploited by individuals who took advantage of his vulnerability.' Article content In continues: 'Sean is a kind, gentle, and trusting young man with autism and multiple physical and mental health challenges. Though legally an adult, he has a much younger mental age and has always been eager to make friends — a trait that, heartbreakingly, was manipulated by those with far worse intentions. Sean has never been in trouble with the law. He lives at home in London, where he helps care for our unwell mother. He's also a devoted uncle to his nine nieces and nephews.' Article content The page concludes: 'Sean is not a criminal — he is a vulnerable young man who was preyed upon by those who saw his innocence as an opportunity. He deserves to be home with his family, not lost in a system he cannot navigate alone.' Article content A petition at is also trying to raise awareness of Stephenson's case. Article content 'Sean is currently in a Japanese prison after being found with Meth in a locked suitcase,' the petition reads. 'Sean has said he did not know what was in the case, but was threatened with having his legs broken and harm to his family if he didn't take it with him on a flight to Japan.' Article content It adds: 'We are taking this petition to the Japanese Embassy and the Foreign Office to ask that Sean's needs be taken into account.' Article content Lee said the family has gone to the police but added: 'The U.K. police have been no help whatsoever. So we're trying our best to get him off but obviously it's a high conviction rate out there. Japan has a 99.9 per cent conviction rate for that. It's a very serious crime in Japan but we're working with these lawyers to get all his medical forms and everything together.' Article content The case has received coverage in the British press, including stories in the Daily Mail and the Mirror. The Mirror quoted a spokesperson for Britain's National Crime Agency, who said: 'Investigations abroad were a matter for local authorities.' They added: 'The NCA's international functions can facilitate U.K. Law Enforcement to international requests. This remains a matter for the Met Police and you may speak to the FCDO regarding any consular assistance.' Article content A spokesperson for the country's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) then told the Mirror: 'We are supporting a British man who is detained in Japan and are in contact with the local authorities.' Article content The Daily Mail noted a case last year in which Australian national Donna Nelson was jailed for six years after being found guilty of smuggling 2 kilograms of meth into Tokyo, despite her claims she had been the victim of an online romance scam. Prosecutors had asked for a 10-year sentence and a $30,000 fine after she was caught with the drugs concealed in the bottom of her suitcase. Article content Stephenson's mother, Star Lee, told the Mail: 'I'm just so sad for Sean. I can't explain how I am feeling. It's a traumatic experience for all the family. We have not been allowed any direct contact with him. We hear all these bad things about prisons abroad. We don't know what's happening and we are just praying he is safe.' Article content
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Yahoo
Autistic Charlton teen who disappeared held in Japan accused of drug smuggling
An autistic teenager from Charlton is being detained in Japan after he was arrested on suspicion of drug smuggling. Sean Stephenson, 18, had not been seen by his family since June 15 after he disappeared unexpectedly for a 'trip to Canada'. His family soon found out he had been arrested at Tokyo International Airport on June 21, allegedly in possession of a more than a kilo of methamphetamine. His sister, Frederica, said "vulnerable" Sean was duped into smuggling the drugs by others. She said Sean, who has never been in trouble with the law, must have been coerced into the act. She said: 'Sean is a kind, gentle, and trusting young man with autism and multiple physical and mental health challenges. 'Though legally an adult, he has a much younger mental age and has always been eager to make friends — a trait that, heartbreakingly, was manipulated by those with far worse intentions.' Sean Stephenson (Image: NQ)His family are now raising money to pay for a lawyer and a translator, they have also set up a petition. Japan has some of the strictest drugs laws in the world. If convicted Sean is likely to face a lengthy custodial sentence. A spokesperson for the Foreign Office said: 'We are supporting a British man who is detained in Japan and are in contact with the local authorities'
Daily Mail
05-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Family's fears as autistic British 18-year-old last seen on Father's Day is arrested in Japan with kilo of drugs in suitcase
An autistic British teenager has been detained on drug smuggling charges in Japan, his sister has claimed. Sean Stephenson, 18, disappeared unexpectedly on Father's Day for a 'sightseeing trip' to Canada. But, after an onward flight to Japan, he got arrested on June 21 with a locked suitcase containing more than a kilo of methamphetamine, it is alleged. His sister claims that he 'acted under pressure; from British gang members who exploited his autism and threatened to break his legs. Sean, from Charlton in South East London, was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) aged five, and had to be put on a reduced timetable due to his struggles at school. His family insist he has never broken the law, is not involved in gangs, and must have been coerced and threatened into allegedly transporting drugs due to his much lower mental age. Desperate for any evidence to clear his name, even if inadmissible under Japanese law, Sean's family have gone to the Metropolitan Police and the National Crime Agency (NCA) to report their concerns. But the family have been sent from pillar to post by the two organisations, they claim, both of whom told MyLondon to speak to the other. 'I have not eaten. I have not slept. I'm a nervous wreck,' Sean's 33-year-old sister Ami Lee said, with just over a week before Sean goes in front of a Tokyo judge. 'I am worried because my brother has [bad] mental health. I am scared we are gonna get a call to say "Your brother has taken his own life". 'That is my biggest fear when he's innocent. If he was not innocent I would still be trying to help, but my brother is innocent. I just want to get him home. If I can't get him home, the least I can do is try to get help.' Ms Lee claims her brother has told her he was recruited by a gang in London and 'forced' to transport drugs across borders. Since his detention, Ms Lee said Sean, through his lawyer, said that he was followed to Heathrow Airport and received threats to 'break his legs and hurt his family' if he did not get on the first flight to Canada. Ms Lee also said Sean has claimed he was threatened with a broken bottle of Smirnoff Ice around two weeks before his arrest. Sean told her police were called out to the incident on June 10th, but he did not press forward with a criminal complaint. 'He's not in a gang, he's very very vulnerable,' Ms Lee said, 'He's quite a people pleaser. He would do anything to please people and make friends because Sean has got no friends. He's very about his family. He's got nine nieces and nephews. He's more on their level. My sister is 18-years-old and she does not come around and play tag or it with people.' Ms Lee also said Sean has a history of self-harm, suicide attempts, and other medical conditions. Sean's family have no idea who got him involved in alleged drug smuggling. Experts on county lines have long warned autism is a risk factor in gang grooming, with autistic young people seen as easy prey due to their desire for friendship, and difficulty detecting lies and manipulation. The FCDO has confirmed it is supporting Sean and is in contact with Japanese authorities. Last year Australian national Donna Nelson was jailed for six years after she was found guilty of smuggling 2kg of methamphetamine into Tokyo in 2023, despite her claims she had been the victim of an online romance scam. Prosecutors had asked for a 10-year sentence and $30,000 fine after she was caught with the drug concealed in the bottom of her suitcase. The case highlighted what some commentators have called the 'hostage justice' system, due to Japan's 23-day pre-charge detention period. A 2023 Human Rights Watch article about Japanese justice focussed on reports of coerced confessions, the refusal of bail, police questioning without the presence of a lawyer, and the denial of family visits. Sean's mum Star Lee, 57, added: 'I'm just so sad for Sean. I can't explain how I am feeling. It's a traumatic experience for all the family. We have not been allowed any direct contact with him. 'We hear all these bad things about prisons abroad. We don't know what's happening and we are just praying he is safe.'
