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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.

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