US rape suspect’s custody extended
Police tell court Gordon a flight risk
Police have sought court approval to detain American rape suspect Robert Gordon for 12 more days.
Pol Col Preecha Kengsarikit, chief of Muang Khon Kaen police station, said yesterday investigators opposed bail, citing concern the suspect might flee.
The 37-year-old man faces counts of sexual abuse and assaulting a 45-yearold masseuse at a massage shop in Muang district on Sept 27. The charges are violent physical assault, rape and illegally detaining another person.
Pol Col Preecha said the suspect admitted the charges during the police interrogation.
The 45-year-old woman, a native of Lop Buri, was working alone on Rob Muang Road when the attack occurred. After she was raped, she was strangled with a towel and hit on the head with a bottle, Pol Col Preecha said.
The suspect fled on a motorcycle to Ban Phai where he alleged molested a 13-year-old girl on the same day. She was rescued by members of the public. Pol Col Preecha said Mr Gordon will face additional charges and police in Ban Phai district are prepared to take legal action against him.
The teenager was being sexually assaulted in broad daylight at a roadside stall where she was selling wild honey when a lorry driver witnessed the incident, police said.
She identified the man from photos when her mother took her to the station to lodge a complaint.
Pol Col Preecha said that the 45-year-old victim’s condition was improving but she was still unable to give statements to police. She was on a breathing aid and doctors said it would take a few days for it to be removed.
According to the police investigation, Mr Gordon had quarrelled with his Thai wife in Amnat Chareon province two months ago and left on a motorcycle to Khon Kaen.
He fled on the same bike to Bangkok on the day of the alleged offences in Khon Kaen.
Wanted on a warrant issued by Khon Kaen provincial court, he was arrested on Saturday at a hotel in Bangkok and was handed over to Khon Kaen police.
He reportedly told police he was high on drugs at the time of the alleged offences.