Wayne Hassall 59

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A paedophile fled to the Philippines after sexually assaulting a girl on a farm, a court has heard.

Depraved builder Wayne Hassall, 59, travelled to the Far East following the horrific attack on the victim in 2021 at his farm in Utkinton, Cheshire.

He spent years overseas before being arrested at Manchester Airport in August this year.

At sentencing, Judge Recorder Michelle Brown said she was satisfied Hassall "left the country to avoid prosecution for this offence."

The assault occurred when the girl was about to feed horses; Hassall suddenly kissed her, professed love, and sexually assaulted her, per Manchester Evening News.

She confided in her mother, leading to an investigation. Hassall flew to the Philippines, where he married.

An arrest warrant was issued in 2022. He returned to the UK in August and was detained.

Hassall, of Cherry Tree Farm, Quarry Bank, Utkinton, denied the charge but was convicted by jury and jailed for 28 months on November 10.

The victim said:

"I was angry at myself for letting it happen and I became angry at the world.

"I never used to be an angry person but it was all taken out of my control. I had chances to stop it happening and I did not - I will never forgive myself for that.

"I am numb and emotionally cold and I have felt that I don't deserve to be happy. I feel as if I have let everyone down. This has ruined me as a person.

"My innocence was taken away and because of that, I ask the question 'why me? Was it something I did? Why did he get to live in the Philippines?"

Her mother added:

"I hated what he did to her. He took away a huge chunk of her childhood when he abused her. He is a vile paedophile and a dangerous man."

Prosecutor Paulinus Barnes said Hassall discussed giving the girl money and tried to apologise.

Mitigating, Richard Thomas said:

"He has continued to deny that he behaved in any way he was alleged to.

"After the allegation was made in 2021, he was released under investigation by police without bail conditions and he went to the Philippines in March 2022 and got married.

"He came back for a couple of months in July 2022 then returned again in September of that year. At that time he was aware that the case was still being investigated, but police told him he could live his life.

"He went back and he in effect got stuck there. His wife became quite seriously ill and as there is no NHS in the Philippines he had to take out a loan to pay for treatment and had to give up his passport.

"For some time he was homeless in the Philippines and he tried every avenue to return that he could. It was not until August that he got a passport and the funds from his family.

"There was no extradition, he came back of his own accord and was arrested at the airport and has been in custody ever since."

The judge told Hassall the victim has been "significantly affected by what you did" and added: "She blames herself, but the fault lies entirely with you."

Hassall received a 10-year sexual harm prevention order and must sign the Sex Offenders' Register.