- Robert Thompson smoking and drinking overseas
- His was charged with 18 counts of sexual offences
- Doctors said trial stress could risk of a heart attack
- Do you know more? Email maisy.rae@dailymail.com.au
A man accused of historic sex offences has been spotted drinking beer and smoking cigarettes on an overseas holiday in the Philippines just two years after a judge declared him medically unfit to stand trial.
Ronald Thompson, believed to be from the Sunshine Coast, was due to face trial in New Zealand in 2023 on 18 counts of sexual offending against six young people.
The incidents – which involved boys and girls aged in their mid to late teens – were alleged to have occurred between 1981 and 2002.
The charges included indecent assault and sexual violation by rape – allegations Thompson, now 69, has strongly denied.
The criminal trial was suspended in November 2023 after the court heard from doctors that Thompson had advanced cardiovascular disease and the stress of a trial could place him at risk of a heart attack.
A physician at Wairau Hospital confirmed Thompson had been referred to a palliative care team and had a life expectancy ‘measured in months’.
However, new footage has emerged of the former carpet salesman drinking beer and smoking while holidaying in the Philippines over Christmas.
In a video obtained by New Zealand publication Stuff, Thompson can be seen cracking open a can of extra-strong eight per cent Red Horse while staying in a village about 600km south-east of Manila.
Ronald Thompson’s 2023 trial was suspended due to his ill health, after doctors said the stress of a trial could place him at risk of a heart attack
Thompson was pictured opening a can of strong beer and smoking while on holiday last month
He was considered a minor celebrity in the 1990s for his ‘Ron’s Discount Carpets’ ad
In other clips seen by Daily Mail, Thompson can be seen sitting at the head of the table while a woman, believed to be his partner, pours beer into plastic cups and laughs with him as he rubs her back.
He could also be spotted sitting alone on a balcony while smoking a cigarette.
It’s believed Thompson was staying in the Philippine capital while visiting his partner’s extended family for Christmas.
He is now understood to have returned to Australia.
News of Thompson’s overseas jaunt has upset his alleged victims who say his travel and lifestyle make a mockery of his claims of being too ill to stand trial.
A woman, who claims Thompson molested her in 1981 when she was 12, told Stuff she was ‘absolutely disgusted’ and ‘really angry’ to hear of his activities abroad.
‘It’s impacted my life massively, and not just me – other people as well. And … here’s him living his best life, just making a total mockery of the system and the people he’s hurt,’ she said.
Police allege Thompson would groom his young victims with cigarettes and alcohol to get them alone, before sexually abusing them.
Thompson was previously considered a minor celebrity in Christchurch due to his appearance in cheesy TV ads that promoted his carpet business.
It’s understood NZ Police are aware of the new footage of Thompson but won’t pursue new charges unless his health significantly improves.
