Charity staff member in Burma jailed for rape bid

A Scottish charity worker in Burma has been jailed for attempted rape.

He is believed to be the first person to be convicted since allegations in February that Oxfam employees had hired prostitutes after the Haiti earthquake in 2010.

The unnamed man worked for the Dumfriesbased Halo Trust, a global landmine charity previously supported by Diana, Princess of Wales and Angelina Jolie.

He was dismissed before his conviction in March in Burma.

The aid organisation – which has 8,500 staff clearing landmines and other weapons from more than 20 countries – also revealed a fresh allegation of sexual misconduct involving a staff member in Cambodia has emerged since the scandal broke.

The organisation said it had informed authorities about the new allegations.

A spokeswoman said: “A Burmese staff member was suspended from duties in Myanmar in January 2018 following an allegation of sexual assault when off duty.

“The case was reported to the British Embassy, the Department for International Development, Charity Commissioner and OSCR.

“The Halo Trust offered full co-operation with the police investigation.

“A Burmese court later found him guilty of attempted rape.”