British teacher jailed for molesting six-year-old

BANGKOK (AFP): A 52-year-old British school teacher has been sentenced to six years in jail after pleading guilty to sexually molesting a Thai pupil, court officials said today. A judge in Thanyaburi court in Bangkok’s northern suburbs initially sentenced Peter William Maxey to 12 years in jail, but halved the sentence after taking into account his admission of guilt. Social workers said Maxey, a teacher of English and music, was arrested last October and charged with fondling a six-year-old pupil on several occasions. Maxey told the court he did not intend to harm the girl. A social worker from the group ‘Fight Against Child Exploitation (FACE)’ said Maxey had testified that “The girl enjoyed it; every girl enjoys it.” Court officials said Maxey would not appeal his sentence as he hoped to receive an amnesty on the occasion of HM the King’s 72nd birthday in December.