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Weston-super-Mare's Robert Hastings jailed for Thai abuse Weston-super-Mare's Robert Hastings jailed for Thai abuse
(3 days later)
A British man who sexually abused a child in Thailand has been jailed for more than 15 years after a UK trial.A British man who sexually abused a child in Thailand has been jailed for more than 15 years after a UK trial.
Robert David Hastings, 62, was living in Udon Thani when he was arrested by police last November. He was deported to the UK in February.Robert David Hastings, 62, was living in Udon Thani when he was arrested by police last November. He was deported to the UK in February.
Hastings, of Weston-super-Mare, committed the offences against a girl aged between four and nine years old, in the 1990s.Hastings, of Weston-super-Mare, committed the offences against a girl aged between four and nine years old, in the 1990s.
He was jailed by a judge at Bristol Crown Court, for 13 counts of abuse.He was jailed by a judge at Bristol Crown Court, for 13 counts of abuse.
The defendant, whose trial took place over three days last month, had pleaded not guilty to a total of 10 counts of indecent assault and three counts of indecency with a child.The defendant, whose trial took place over three days last month, had pleaded not guilty to a total of 10 counts of indecent assault and three counts of indecency with a child.
'Cruel sexual offender''Cruel sexual offender'
The trial took place at the same court over three days from 14 July and he was earlier jailed for a total of 15-and-a-half years.The trial took place at the same court over three days from 14 July and he was earlier jailed for a total of 15-and-a-half years.
Acting Det Sgt Martin Davies, said: "Robert Hastings is a deceptive and cruel sexual offender who took advantage of a vulnerable child and subjected her to some truly awful offences.Acting Det Sgt Martin Davies, said: "Robert Hastings is a deceptive and cruel sexual offender who took advantage of a vulnerable child and subjected her to some truly awful offences.
"When he was arrested by Thai police in November 2014 he told the media "he'd done nothing wrong".""When he was arrested by Thai police in November 2014 he told the media "he'd done nothing wrong"."
Following his arrest, Hastings had appeared at news conference took place at the Immigration Detention Centre in Bangkok. Following his arrest, Hastings had appeared at a news conference which took place at the Immigration Detention Centre in Bangkok.
His victim contacted police in February 2011 and gave a video statement to the authorities the following month.His victim contacted police in February 2011 and gave a video statement to the authorities the following month.
Mr Davies added: "I have tremendous admiration for the victim for finding the courage to report these crimes to us, and then being able to endure the long wait while the expulsion and judicial processes progressed.Mr Davies added: "I have tremendous admiration for the victim for finding the courage to report these crimes to us, and then being able to endure the long wait while the expulsion and judicial processes progressed.
"She has shown unwavering support of the investigation and I hope this conclusion will help her to find some form of closure.""She has shown unwavering support of the investigation and I hope this conclusion will help her to find some form of closure."