A depraved builder who fled to the Philippines after sexually assaulting a young girl on his farm has been jailed following his arrest at a UK airport.
The Farm Assault and Escape Abroad
Wayne Hassall, aged 59, sexually assaulted a girl at his farm in Utkinton, Cheshire, in 2021. The court heard the victim was about to feed horses when Hassall suddenly kissed her, told her he loved her, and proceeded to assault her.
After confiding in her mother, the girl's report led to a police investigation. While under investigation, Hassall flew to the Philippines in March 2022, where he later got married. An arrest warrant was issued for him in 2022.
Arrest and Court Proceedings
Hassall was finally apprehended at Manchester Airport in August of this year upon his return to the UK. He had denied the charge of sexual assault, but a jury found him guilty after a trial.
On Monday, November 10, Recorder Judge Michelle Brown sentenced him to 28 months in prison. She stated she was satisfied that Hassall had "left the country to avoid prosecution for this offence."
Impact on the Victim and Legal Outcome
The victim shared a powerful statement in court, describing how the assault had "ruined" her as a person. She said, "My innocence was taken away... I am numb and emotionally cold and I have felt that I don't deserve to be happy."
Her mother condemned Hassall, calling him a "vile paedophile and a dangerous man" who had taken a "huge chunk of her childhood."
In mitigation, the defence claimed Hassall had become stuck in the Philippines due to his wife's illness and financial difficulties, and that he returned to the UK of his own accord.
In addition to his prison sentence, Hassall was made subject to a 10-year sexual harm prevention order and must sign the Sex Offenders' Register.
