BUILDER WHO FLED UK AFTER ABUSING GIRL GETS 28 MONTHS IN PRISON
A depraved builder who fled the UK for the Far East after sexually assaulting a girl has been jailed.Wayne Hassall, 59, spent years in the Philippines, but was arrested at Manchester airport on his return to the country in August this year, a court heard.
A judge said at a sentencing hearing she was satisfied Hassall 'left the country to avoid prosecution for this offence'.
His conviction relates to incidents that occurred in 2021.
Hassall's victim, a girl who can't be identified for legal reasons, told police he sexually assaulted her on his farm in Utkinton, Tarporley, Cheshire.
Chester Crown Court heard she was about to feed horses there when he suddenly kissed her and told her that he loved her.
He went on to sexually assault her before she confided in her mother.
The court heard that while under investigation, Hassall flew to the Far East.
A warrant for his arrest was issued in 2022 and Hassall was held by police at [Manchester Airport](https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/all-about/manchester-airport) in August this year when he returned to the UK.
Hassall, of Cherry Tree Farm, Quarry Bank, Utkinton, denied sexual assault, but was convicted by a jury after trial and jailed for 28 months on Monday (November 10).
The victim bravely relived her ordeal in a statement considered by the court.
"I was angry at myself for letting it happen and I became angry at the world," she said.
"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?"" The girl's mother added in a statement: "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." Hassall was also made subject to a sexual harm prevention order for 10 years and was ordered to sign on the Sex Offenders' Register.
