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Michael Allen Connell was born on the 8th of April, 1984 in Bury, Greater Manchester. He was a very caring, inquisitive child who loved to learn. He did quite well in his first reception year of primary school but when he moved into the first year it became apparent that Michael couldn't keep up with the other children. He became very angry and upset as learning became a constant struggle and his primary teacher would massage his temples to sooth him. His very first teacher adored Michael and he adored her but when Michael left her class, other teachers weren't as understanding. When Michael went to High School, his learning difficulties became a real frustration to this otherwise bright boy. Michael was born deaf in on ear and was sometimes sat in a desk with his unhearing ear to the class and then accused of not listening. Due to all these factors Michael began to lose his confidence and learnt to hate school.
It was a constant struggle to keep Michael at school as he had lost all confidence in himself. Finally he was sent to an adult learning centre for 12 hours a week which was a disgrace. He was not given the chance to progress and get the education he needed to fulfill his ambitions. When Michael left school, he worked in a number of factories but was not happy at the jobs. Just before he left to Thailand, he was unemployed and very down.
No one knew that Michael was going to Thailand. The next time we saw him he was on the news, being led away by the police. The horror of this image is something that all who love Michael will never forget. he was shouting 'family I love you all. I am more worried about you than myself'. Michael turned 21 in April. He has now served 2 years of his sentence and has another 97 years to go.
If you know Michael or you have met him then you will know that he is far from a hardened criminal. In fact, he is a very sensitive soul who loves animals and always looked after the younger ones in his family. He had never been in trouble with the police in the UK and the trip to Thailand was his first time away on his own.
Kind regards, Derek Connell.
(Michael's father)
Write to:
Mr Michael Connell [UK]
Building # 12
Bangkwang Central Prison
117 Nonthaburi Road
Nonthaburi Bangkok
11000 Thailand
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TREATY BETWEEN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND SIAM RESPECTING THE EXTRADITION OF FUGITIVE CRIMINALS.
