Help Us Bring Sean Home

We are raising urgent funds for our beloved brother, Sean Stephenson, an autistic 18-year-old who has been detained in Japan after being misled and exploited by individuals who took advantage of his vulnerability.

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. Despite facing bullying and low self-esteem while growing up, Sean has become someone we are all deeply proud of.

Last month, we noticed he had begun spending time with new acquaintances — much older than him. While we were wary, we were also happy to see him socialising. Then, without warning, he disappeared and didn’t tell anyone where he was going.

A few days later, we found out he had travelled overseas. 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, we received devastating news: Sean had been detained in Japan and is now facing extremely serious legal proceedings.

What we know so far is that Sean was given a suitcase by people he thought he could trust, and was told to take it with him. He had no idea of the risks or implications. These individuals are still free, but Sean — a vulnerable teenager — is now alone in a foreign legal system, facing consequences he can barely comprehend.

We are completely devastated. This is not who Sean is. He is a victim of manipulation and exploitation, and we are doing everything we can to support him — but we simply cannot afford the level of legal and specialist support he needs.

We are working-class families with children of our own and limited means. The cost of hiring a skilled legal team, translator, and support services in Japan is overwhelming, and we are running out of time.

If you are able to donate, no matter how small, it would mean the world to us. Every pound will go directly toward giving Sean a fighting chance — to ensure he is represented fairly and treated with the care and understanding he deserves. If you cannot donate, please share this campaign with others who might be able to help.

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.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.