12/02/2004

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.

Studabaker was arrested on July 17 at Frankfurt Airport in a joint operation between Greater Manchester Police, German authorities and the FBI. He was extradited to Britain on August 21.

Studabaker had denied having a sexual relationship with the 12-year-old whom he met on an internet chat room, and had insisted he believed that she was 18 years old.

The ex-marine and the schoolgirl went missing on July 13, sparking a four-day manhunt. The schoolgirl flew home to her parents before Studabaker was apprehended.

(gmcg)

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