Brit faces extradition for child abuse

Brit faces extradition for child abuse

A 61-year-old British national working as a teacher who is wanted under 17 arrest warrants issued in his home country for alleged sexual offences has been arrested and is facing extradition proceedings.

British national Robert David Hastings, 61, at a police press conference  in Bangkok on Wednesday. (Photo by Pawat Laopaisarntaksin)

Robert David Hastings, 61, said he arrived in Thailand nine years ago. He faces 17 arrest warrants issued in Britain -- 12 on charges of sexual abuse and five alleging indecency with a child under the age of 14.

Police arrested Mr Hastings at Kumphawapi school in tambon Kumphawapi of Kumphawapi district in Udon Thani, where he worked as an English teacher, on Tuesday afternoon. He was taken to a police press conference at the Immigration Bureau in Bangkok on Wednesday. 

Police were acting at the request of British authorities. 

Lt Gen Sakda Chuenpakdi, acting Immigration Bureau chief, said Mr Hastings entered Thailand through Nong Khai immigration checkpoint and was employed to teach at the school until March 31 next year. 

The British suspect said he came to Thailand in 2005 and has a Thai wife.

Regarding the arrest warrants issued for him, he said he had contacted and confirmed with police in the UK that he would fly home and surrender. However, he did not have money for the fare, and asked they help him meet the cost of travel. He said there had been no response until Thai police arrested him.

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