A 75-year-old British expat living in Spain has been banned from returning to Alicante after being convicted of indecency with a child. John Sandell was found guilty at Hull Crown Court following a trial where the jury returned majority verdicts of 11 to one.
The court heard that Sandell was caught with a young girl in a caravan in East Yorkshire. The girl's mother discovered them together after hearing laughter. 'He just froze and didn't say anything,' the mother said. 'All I could think was to get the girls out of the caravan.'
Sandell denied six offences of indecency with a child but was convicted. He was cleared of two similar offences and two of indecent assault. Prosecutor Ben Hammersley told the court that Sandell had groomed and sexually abused the girl, giving her cakes and treats to gain her trust. Sandell denied all allegations, claiming 'No, never.'
After the verdicts, sentence was adjourned for reports. Defence barrister Julia Baggs asked for bail to be continued on the same terms, noting Sandell had been living in Alicante. However, Deputy Circuit Judge Peter Kelson refused, saying allowing him to return to Spain 'complicated' the situation. 'I am not comfortable with the defendant returning to Spain,' he said. Sandell was ordered to surrender his passport within 24 hours and reside with his sister in Withernsea, Yorkshire, until sentencing.
Sandell, a former Blackpool hotelier, had no previous convictions. He told the court he made no comment during police interview on advice and was in shock when arrested. The judge imposed a condition of bail that Sandell must remain in the UK.
