Briton charged with child sex offences

Derek Baston tries to hide behind a newspaper

A Briton has been charged with child sex abuse after allegedly being caught in a Cambodian brothel with a 12-year-old girl.

Derek Baston, 69, from Lichfield, Staffordshire, was arrested on Sunday after officers raided the brothel in the notorious Svay Pak area of the country's capital, Phnom Penh.

On Wednesday, prosecutor Ngeth Sarath told journalists that he had charged Mr Baston with debauchery, the legal term for paedophilia in Cambodia.

Mr Baston denies the charges and an investigating judge now has six months to decide whether there is enough evidence for a trial.

If convicted, he faces a maximum of 20 years in prison.

Mr Sarath said Mr Baston would remain in police custody until a decision is made on whether he will be allowed bail.

A spokeswoman from the Foreign Office said that consular staff in Cambodia had been in touch with Mr Baston and were providing assistance where necessary.

Sexual contact with children under 15 is illegal in Cambodia.